AI Strategy Readiness Checklist — before you commit budget.

Test procedureReview the prioritization matrix/scoring and confirm the top-ranked use cases score highest on value and feasibility, not just 'interesting'.

Practical example / evidenceUse-case prioritization matrix with scoring criteria and rationale.

Test procedureCheck the pilot charter's date against the date success metrics were defined — metrics should predate the pilot's start.

Practical example / evidencePilot charter with success metrics, dated before kickoff.

Test procedureReview the budget line items for production-stage costs (scaling, monitoring, support), not only pilot development.

Practical example / evidenceBudget document itemizing pilot and production-stage costs separately.

Test procedureRun a data-quality profile on the specific dataset the top use case needs and check it against a minimum-quality bar before build starts.

Practical example / evidenceData quality assessment report for the priority use case's dataset.

Test procedurePick a sample model output and trace it back through the data lineage documentation to its source.

Practical example / evidenceData lineage documentation and a traced example.

Test procedureHave an architect review the target approach against current infrastructure (vector store, compute, integration layer) for gaps.

Practical example / evidenceArchitecture review document identifying gaps or confirming fit.

Test procedureCheck the project plan for evaluation/monitoring tasks scheduled in the same phase as the build, not a later backlog item.

Practical example / evidenceProject plan or roadmap showing evaluation/monitoring tasks alongside build tasks.

Test procedureReview the integration map for every system the AI use case touches, including older/legacy systems that are easy to forget.

Practical example / evidenceIntegration map or system diagram covering legacy systems.

Test procedureAsk who approves a new AI use case today and confirm the answer matches a documented (even lightweight) decision-rights structure.

Practical example / evidenceGovernance RACI or decision-rights note, however informal.

Test procedureCheck the use case against a regulatory-applicability checklist (e.g. EU AI Act risk tier, sector rules) before build starts.

Practical example / evidenceRegulatory-scoping memo or checklist completed for the use case.

Test procedureReview the design documentation's date for guardrail/oversight sections against the launch date — they should predate launch, not follow an incident.

Practical example / evidenceDesign document with guardrail/oversight sections dated before launch.

Test procedureCheck design-review attendance records for representation from the affected teams, not just the build team.

Practical example / evidenceDesign-review meeting notes/attendance showing affected-team participation.

Test procedureCompare the skills the use case needs against the current team's skills matrix and check for a corresponding closing plan.

Practical example / evidenceSkills-gap assessment and closing plan (hiring, training or partner engagement).

Test procedureCheck the planning documentation shows both technical-debt and new-AI-work budget lines, with an explicit trade-off decision recorded.

Practical example / evidenceBudget/planning document showing the explicit trade-off decision.