A Methodology Built for Generational Impact

The D⁵ Process™ is our proprietary framework for transforming families from wealth holders to wealth stewards. Over 12 months, we work through five deliberate phases—each building on the last—to create the systems, documentation, and governance structures that will serve your family for generations.

This isn't a transactional engagement. It's the foundation for a 100-year partnership.

D⁵™ Process
Discover
Define
Detail
Design
Discipline

12-Month Journey Overview

Phases are intentionally overlapping—building trust and relationships while gathering information

Months 1-3
Discover (Identity)
Months 3-5
Define (Purpose)
Months 1-8
Detail (Resources)
D⁴
Months 8-10
Design (POWERplan)
D⁵™
Months 10-12+
Discipline (Decisions)

Discover Your Identity

Timeline: Months 1-3

Comprehensive Assessment of Where You Are Today

Before we can chart a course for the future, we need to understand your complete current state. This phase involves deep discovery across all aspects of your family wealth ecosystem.

Asset & Entity Discovery

  • Operating businesses and ownership structures
  • Real estate holdings and management
  • Investment accounts and strategies
  • Trust structures and beneficiaries
  • Insurance policies and coverage
  • Debt obligations and financing

Professional Team Audit

  • Estate planning attorneys and strategies
  • CPAs and tax advisors
  • Investment managers and philosophies
  • Insurance specialists
  • Business advisors and coaches
  • Bankers and lenders

Family Dynamics Assessment

  • Family structure and relationships
  • Communication patterns and challenges
  • Next-generation readiness and involvement
  • Existing governance structures
  • Areas of conflict or concern
  • Philanthropic interests and activities

Existing Plans Review

  • Estate planning documents
  • Business succession plans
  • Buy-sell agreements
  • Family employment policies
  • Distribution philosophies
  • Educational funding strategies

Phase Outcome:

A comprehensive Family Wealth Landscape document that maps every entity, relationship, asset, and advisor—creating a single source of truth for your complex financial ecosystem.

Define Your Purpose

Timeline: Months 3-5

Articulate "What Is This All For?"

This is the most important phase of the entire process. We help you move beyond "preserving wealth" to articulating the deeper purpose behind your family's resources.

Family Mission Articulation

  • What values created this wealth?
  • What do you want your wealth to accomplish?
  • How do you want your family remembered?
  • What problems do you want to solve?
  • What opportunities do you want to create?

Values Clarification

  • Core family values identification
  • Entrepreneurial culture preservation
  • Work ethic and responsibility expectations
  • Philanthropy and giving philosophy
  • Education and development priorities

Generational Aims

  • G1 (Wealth Creator) ultimate aims
  • G2 (Next Generation) involvement and roles
  • G3 (Rising Generation) preparation
  • Multi-generational vision beyond founders
  • Enduring principles vs. flexible tactics

Success Definition

  • How will you measure success in 25 years?
  • What does "wealth preservation" actually mean?
  • Balance of control vs. autonomy for heirs
  • Role of wealth in family relationships
  • Non-financial measures of family success

Phase Outcome:

A written Family Mission & Values Statement that serves as the North Star for all future decisions—creating context and purpose that transcends any single generation.

Detail Your Resources

Timeline: Months 1-8 (Overlaps Intentionally)

Building Trust Across All Stakeholders

This phase runs concurrently with Discovery and Definition because relationships are built through interaction, not declarations. Trust takes time.

Next-Generation Engagement

  • Individual conversations with G2/G3 members
  • Understanding individual aspirations and concerns
  • Building trust outside parental presence
  • Assessing readiness and interest levels
  • Creating safe space for honest dialogue

Professional Advisory Team Coordination

  • Meetings with estate planning attorneys
  • CPA and tax advisor alignment
  • Investment manager strategy discussions
  • Insurance specialist collaboration
  • Business advisor integration

Communication Rhythms

  • Weekly Family CFO check-ins
  • Monthly progress updates
  • Quarterly advisor team meetings
  • As-needed strategic consultations
  • Emergency accessibility protocols

Trust-Building Activities

  • Transparent sharing of process and findings
  • Collaborative problem-solving on real issues
  • Demonstrating coordination value
  • Proving accessibility and responsiveness
  • Earning confidence through consistent delivery

Phase Outcome:

Established trust with all stakeholders—family members across generations and professional advisors—creating the relational foundation for long-term partnership.

D⁴

Design Your POWERplan

Timeline: Months 8-10

Create the POWERplan Framework™

With complete understanding of your current state (D¹), clarity on your purpose (D²), and trust established (D³), we now design your comprehensive multi-generational strategy.

PURPOSE Pillar

  • Purpose-Centered Decision Journal system
  • Family mission integration across entities
  • Values-based investment policies
  • Philanthropic strategy alignment
  • Legacy documentation protocols

OWNERSHIP Pillar

  • Business succession roadmap
  • Estate structure optimization
  • Entity coordination strategies
  • Buy-sell agreement updates
  • Governance frameworks

WEALTH Pillar

  • Investment policy statement
  • Multi-generational tax strategies
  • Risk management frameworks
  • Liquidity planning
  • Asset location optimization

EDUCATION Pillar

  • Age-based wealth education curriculum
  • Financial literacy development
  • Entrepreneurial culture transmission
  • Stewardship mindset cultivation
  • Next-gen involvement pathways

RELATIONSHIPS Pillar

  • Family board meeting structure
  • Communication protocols and rhythms
  • Conflict resolution procedures
  • Professional advisor coordination plan
  • Family employment policies

Phase Outcome:

Your comprehensive POWERplan—a living strategic document covering all five pillars with specific action items, timelines, and accountability structures.

D⁵™

Discipline Your Decisions

Timeline: Months 10-12+ (Ongoing)

Implementation & Ongoing Stewardship

Strategy without execution is just aspiration. This phase transforms your POWERplan from document to living reality—and continues as ongoing partnership.

Governance Structure Implementation

  • First family board meeting facilitation
  • Quarterly meeting rhythm establishment
  • Decision documentation systems
  • Voting procedures and protocols
  • Conflict resolution testing

Professional Team Coordination

  • Estate planning implementation meetings
  • Tax strategy execution coordination
  • Investment policy deployment
  • Insurance optimization implementation
  • Quarterly advisor team coordination

Purpose-Centered Decision Journal

  • System setup and training
  • First entries documentation
  • Review and refinement processes
  • Access and sharing protocols
  • Future generation handoff planning

Next-Generation Education Launch

  • Age-appropriate curriculum deployment
  • First family education sessions
  • Individual mentoring relationships
  • Real-world involvement opportunities
  • Progress tracking and adjustment

Ongoing Partnership Rhythms

  • Weekly Family CFO accessibility
  • Monthly strategy check-ins
  • Quarterly comprehensive reviews
  • Annual POWERplan updates
  • As-needed crisis/opportunity response

Phase Outcome:

Living systems that function independently while being continuously refined—with your Family CFO as ongoing orchestrator, facilitator, and steward of your 100-year vision.

This Process Builds the Foundation for 100 Years

The D⁵ Process™ isn't about completing a project. It's about building the foundation for multi-generational wealth stewardship.

Most families spend more time planning a vacation than planning their generational legacy. We take 12 months to get it right—because the decisions made today will impact your great-grandchildren.

12
Months to Foundation
5
Integrated Phases
100
Year Vision

Ready to Begin the D⁵ Process™?

The journey starts with the Purpose Alignment Assessment™—a mutual evaluation to ensure both values alignment and strategic fit before committing to this comprehensive partnership.