Section 10
Phase-Gated Execution Model
Five phases and four gates that move an initiative from discovery to sustainable scale.
AI4EA uses phase-gated execution to reduce investment risk while allowing value to be demonstrated rapidly. The execution model expands the earlier 90-day concept into a reusable lifecycle. Time horizons are indicative and should be adapted to use-case complexity and organizational delivery practices.
Discover
- · Scan use cases
- · Assess value & feasibility
- · Prioritize portfolio
Prioritized use case portfolio
2 – 6 weeks
Define
- · Detail requirements
- · Design solution
- · Validate business case
Solution design and plan
4 – 8 weeks
Build
- · Develop and test
- · Evaluate and validate
- · Prepare for deployment
Working solution and validation results
8 – 16 weeks
Deploy
- · Release to production
- · Drive user adoption
- · Monitor initial value
Deployed solution and adoption metrics
4 – 8 weeks
Scale
- · Expand to more users / domains
- · Optimize performance
- · Capture and scale value
Scaled solution and measurable impact
Ongoing
Gate 1
Approve definition
Value, strategic fit, feasibility, risk
Gate 2
Approve build
Requirements, architecture, readiness, business case
Gate 3
Approve deployment
Quality, security, controls, operational preparedness
Gate 4
Approve scale
Adoption, measurable value, economics, resilience and governance
| Phase | Key Outputs | Typical Time Horizon |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Discover | Prioritized use case portfolio | 2 – 6 weeks |
| 2 Define | Solution design and plan | 4 – 8 weeks |
| 3 Build | Working solution and validation results | 8 – 16 weeks |
| 4 Deploy | Deployed solution and adoption metrics | 4 – 8 weeks |
| 5 Scale | Scaled solution and measurable impact | Ongoing |
10.1 Gate Logic
| Gate | Decision Purpose | Primary Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Gate 1 | Approve definition | Value, strategic fit, feasibility, risk |
| Gate 2 | Approve build | Requirements, architecture, readiness, business case |
| Gate 3 | Approve deployment | Quality, security, controls, operational preparedness |
| Gate 4 | Approve scale | Adoption, measurable value, economics, resilience and governance |
Possible gate decisions include Proceed, Refine, Hold or Stop. Scale decisions may additionally include Limit, Re-engineer or Retire.
Primary outcome
Controlled progression from AI opportunity to sustainable enterprise capability.
Core artifacts