Framework Structure
The 4 Quality Gates
Four validation checkpoints — M, P, E, L — sit between the COMPEL stages and decide whether work can progress. They are the mechanism that turns COMPEL from a framework diagram into a disciplined operating rhythm.
Quality gates are inspired by classic stage-gate delivery models but adapted to the realities of AI: they enforce that evidence, controls, and accountability are in place before a model, policy, or change is allowed to advance. For the full context see What is COMPEL?, the 6 Stages reference, and the Controls catalog.
Model Gate
Validates that target-state architecture, policies, risk controls, and data governance are designed and approved before any production delivery begins.
- • Target operating model signed off
- • Risk register and control catalog complete
- • Data governance and residency policies approved
- • Architecture review passed
Produce Gate
Validates that delivered AI systems have the required controls, evidence, monitoring, and documentation before they are considered operational.
- • Model cards and system cards published
- • Monitoring and logging in place
- • Controls operational and tested
- • Incident response playbooks live
Evaluate Gate
Validates that evaluation evidence — performance, fairness, safety, value realization — has been collected, analyzed, and reviewed.
- • KPIs measured against baseline
- • Audit evidence complete
- • Bias and fairness testing documented
- • Value realization report filed
Learn Gate
Validates that lessons learned have been captured, prioritized, and converted into concrete inputs for the next transformation cycle.
- • Decision log updated
- • Retrospective complete
- • Improvement backlog prioritized
- • Policy and control updates tracked