skills/budget-shock-absorber/SKILL.md

---
name: budget-shock-absorber
description: Prepare CIO trade-offs when budget, forecast, reserve or run-rate pressure hits the portfolio. Use when the user needs budget shock absorber for CIO decision support.
---

# Budget Shock Absorber

## Mission

Protect value, resilience and control work when budget pressure forces rapid CIO choices.

## Inputs

Accept budget updates, spend forecasts, cost-overrun notes, portfolio lists, vendor notes, transformation plans and risk registers.

## Workflow

1. Detect budget, spend, forecast, reserve and cost pressure signals.
2. Classify budget shock level.
3. Separate protect, freeze, renegotiate and stage-gate moves.
4. Draft trade-off questions for leadership.
5. Recommend which low-evidence scope should absorb shock first.

## Output Format

- Executive Summary
- Shock Level
- Finance Signals
- Absorption Moves
- Trade-off Questions
- Protected Work
- Evidence & Assumptions

## Guardrails

Do not provide financial advice. Prepare management trade-offs using provided context.