Vantage has explicit stop conditions (“kill criteria”) built into every Fulcrum engagement. They exist to protect you from paying for output that is not performing and to make it clear, in advance, what “not working” means.
Kill criteria
1. Phase 1 accuracy gate (after the first batch)
- After the first batch of scored records, Fulcrum compares the system’s tier assignments to the principal’s own judgments.
- Gate: If the system’s tier assignment does not match the principal’s judgment on at least 50% of scored records in that first batch, the architecture is reviewed before continuing.
- Billing impact: Phase 2 billing does not start until this Phase 1 accuracy gate is cleared.
2. Phase 2 accuracy floor (ongoing)
- During the live Phase 2 (production) phase, Fulcrum monitors accuracy on an ongoing basis.
- Floor: If the system’s accuracy falls below 60% in the live phase and stays there, the engagement stops.
- Billing impact: The client keeps all Phase 1 deliverables and does not pay for the Phase 2 retainer going forward.
3. Correction cadence absence
- The system depends on the principal regularly reviewing and correcting outputs.
- Trigger: If the principal stops reviewing corrections for an extended period (typically 6 or more consecutive weeks), the engagement enters a formal review.
- Model principle: Fulcrum does not continue billing for a system that is not being actively maintained.
What happens when kill criteria are triggered
Architecture review vs. engagement end
- Phase 1 gate failure (sub-50% accuracy on first batch):
- Most common outcome: the architecture is reviewed and adjusted.
- Phase 2 billing only begins once the gate is cleared.
- Phase 2 accuracy failure (sustained <60% accuracy):
- The engagement formally ends.
What you keep if the engagement ends
If the engagement ends due to accuracy failure or principal disengagement, you keep all Phase 1 deliverables:
- Voice Corpus recordings
- Initial pattern library
- ICP documentation
- Integration setup
These assets have standalone value and are built for you; the system is not owned by Fulcrum.
There is no penalty: the retainer stops when the engagement stops.
Why the kill criteria exist
- To ensure you are not billed for an AI system that is not working.
- To give both parties a clear, shared definition of what “not working” means.
By making the kill criteria explicit, Fulcrum aligns incentives around maintaining a system that is accurate, actively corrected, and commercially useful.
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Connected questions:
- What does accuracy mean for a system like this?
- What happens to my data if I cancel?
- What is the correction cadence and why does it matter?
Related: What happens if you stop correcting · The correction cadence · What Vantage costs