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GTM Systems Design1 / 2

1 min lesson

Point-based vs. model-based

Match each case in "Point-based vs. model-based" to the signal and response that fit it.

Step 1 of 2

Point-based vs. model-based

Both have a place and the interview reward goes to the one whose tradeoff you can articulate rather than the one you happen to prefer.

Point-based (rules)

+20 for Series A-C, +15 for 10+ active devs, -30 for student email.

Transparent: a rep can see exactly why a lead scored 80.

Start here. Stakeholders trust what they can read.

Model-based (learned)

Fit a model on historical won/lost to weight features for you.

Higher ceiling once you have enough labeled outcomes.

Earn it later; an opaque score erodes trust if it's wrong early.

Transparency is a feature, not a nicety

On a small, flat team, a rep who doesn't trust the score will ignore it and work their own list - and now you've built a system nobody uses. A point-based model where every contributing signal is visible buys adoption. You can graduate to a learned model once outcomes are labeled and people already believe the scores.