2. Validation (Proof of Value)¶

1. Purpose¶

After Gate 1, you know the problem is clear and data is available. Now you must prove that AI actually delivers value. This phase revolves around a validation pilot (50–100 cases), reliability testing, and a cost overview. The result: measurable evidence that the idea works — or a well-founded decision to stop.

Entry criteria: Gate 1 approved, data evaluation complete, test set available, team has tooling and data access.

2. Components¶

• Overview & Objectives — What this phase aims to achieve
• Activities — Validation pilot, reliability testing, cost overview
• Deliverables & Gate 2 — Validation report, privacy data sheet, cost overview
• Risk Assessment — Risk classification specific to the validation phase

3. Common pitfalls¶

• Test set too small — 50–100 representative cases is the minimum for reliable conclusions
• Not measuring a baseline — without a baseline you cannot demonstrate improvement
• Forgetting costs — API costs, compute, and human review hours add up quickly
• Defining success too vaguely — define upfront what "good enough" means in measurable terms

Next step: After Gate 2 (Investment Decision), proceed to Phase 3 — Development.