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AI Project Cycle — Quick Reference

Purpose

One-page overview of the five AI lifecycle phases with the goal, gate criteria, core activity and primary template per phase.

This is a navigation card, not an explanation. For the full methodology: see AI Project Cycle.

Phase Goal Gate Core Activity Primary Template
1 — Discovery & Strategy Validate problem, evaluate data, assess risk Gate 1: Go/No-Go problem def. Complete Goal card + Collaboration Mode Assessment Project Charter
2 — Validation (PoV) Test hypothesis at small scale, substantiate ROI Gate 2: Investment decision Execute Proof of Value + Business Case Validation report
3 — Realisation Build system to spec, validate Golden Set Gate 3: Production readiness SDD pattern: spec → golden set → build → validate Technical Model Card
4 — Delivery Deploy to production, hand over to operations Gate 3 (continued): Go-live Handover checklist + user training Handover Checklist
5 — Operations & Optimisation Monitor drift, manage costs, process feedback Gate 4: Quarterly review Drift measurement + cost efficiency review Operations Plan

Timeline per risk class

Risk class Typical lead time Fast Lane?
Minimal Risk 6–8 weeks ✅ Yes
Limited Risk 13 weeks Optional
High Risk 18–24 weeks ❌ No

Four Core Artefacts (always required)

Artefact What it records Created in
Goal definition The human intent behind the system Phase 1
Hard Boundaries What the system must never do Phase 1
Prompts The steering instructions for the AI system Phase 1–3
Validation report The evidence that the system works as intended Phase 2–3

For the full explanation of these artefacts: see AI-Native Fundamentals.

Related modules:

Version: 1.0 Date: 13 March 2026 Status: Final