Runway Status Levels: Critical, Warning, Healthy, Strong
Learn the exact thresholds for each AskBiz runway status level, what colour each badge shows, and what action each status requires.
Key Takeaways
- AskBiz uses four runway status levels: Critical (≤1 month, red), Warning (1-3 months, orange), Healthy (3-6 months, yellow), Strong (>6 months, green).
- The status badge appears both on the Cash Runway card and inside the runway drill-down panel.
- Each status level should trigger a different urgency of action from monitoring to immediate intervention.
Why Status Levels Exist
The Cash Runway card in AskBiz does more than show a number — it contextualises that number with a status badge. Without context, 3 months of runway could feel either comfortable or alarming depending on your situation. The status levels translate the raw months figure into a standardised risk category so you and your team immediately understand the urgency without having to interpret the number. The badge appears in the top-right corner of the Cash Runway card on the /intelligence page and is also repeated at the top of the runway drill-down panel.
Critical Status — 1 Month or Less (Red)
A red Critical badge appears when your cash runway is 1 month or less. This is the emergency threshold. At this level, you have approximately 30 days or fewer of operating cash remaining at the current burn rate. Action is required immediately. The card border and badge both turn red to ensure this status is impossible to miss. If you see a Critical status, open the runway panel immediately, check the formula, and confirm the cash balance and burn inputs are correct. If they are correct, escalate to the Expenses tab to identify any expenses that can be paused, and consider fundraising or revenue acceleration as an immediate priority.
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Start for free →Warning Status — 1 to 3 Months (Orange)
An orange Warning badge appears when runway is between 1 and 3 months. This is a serious but not yet emergency situation. You have enough time to take deliberate action but not enough time to wait. Warning status means you should be actively working on cost reduction, revenue growth, or fundraising with a specific plan and deadline. Open the Burn Rate drill-down panel and use the Sensitivity Table to identify the highest-impact cost cuts. Use the Runway Scenario Table to model what happens if you execute a 15 percent burn reduction. Set a weekly cadence of checking the runway card to track whether the warning is deepening or improving.
Healthy Status — 3 to 6 Months (Yellow)
A yellow Healthy badge appears when runway is between 3 and 6 months. This is a manageable position but not comfortable enough to be complacent. At Healthy status, you have time to plan and execute changes without emergency pressure. Use this window to model scenarios, set a target cash balance in the Target Calculator, and pursue both cost discipline and revenue growth. The goal is to move the badge from Healthy to Strong before it regresses to Warning.
Strong Status — More Than 6 Months (Green)
A green Strong badge appears when runway exceeds 6 months. This is the target state for most businesses. At Strong status, you have sufficient runway to absorb unexpected setbacks, pursue growth opportunities, and negotiate from a position of strength with investors, partners, or lenders. Even at Strong status, continue monitoring the runway panel monthly. A fast-growing company with rising costs can move from Strong to Warning faster than expected if burn increases without a corresponding revenue increase. Use the 12-Month Projection Chart in the runway panel to confirm the strong trajectory continues through the end of the chart window.