Define acceptance and stop rules

Buyer principle

A deliverable is easier to evaluate when the evidence and stop conditions are written before the build.

A project has an exciting goal but no shared definition of an acceptable result, a failed test, or a safe rollback.

Use it in the buying process

Start with these decisions

1. Choose realistic test cases using approved or fictional data.
2. Name the factual, quality, access, and workflow checks that must pass.
3. Define who accepts the result and where the decision is recorded.
4. Write conditions that pause the project or return work to the former process.

Pause point

Do not let an impressive proposal replace accountable buyer judgment

A successful demonstration is not the same as an accepted production workflow. Test the actual operating conditions and dependencies before expanding use.