When a major decision is forming and reversal would be costly or impossible.

• Identify hidden tradeoffs, second-order effects, and points of no return
• Expose misalignment between stated values, incentives, and behavior
• Prevent "rational" strategic moves that fail structurally later

Independent judgment during leadership, governance, or ownership transitions.

• Reduce failure risk during CEO/ED, board, or ownership transitions
• Slow decision velocity when urgency is masking long-term damage 
• Protect continuity, credibility, and institutional memory