This paper offers a fresh perspective from which to gauge the ongoing viability of a firm. While investors, lending institutions and trade creditors share common concern with respect to risk, they differ according to both the time horizon and their interest in the ongoing viability of the firm. Using a synthetic credit score and the time tested Altman’s Z-score, this paper presents both measures along a simple X, Y axis plot that aims to provide a perspective of risk that is both straightforward and intuitive.