Written acceptance for AI pilot slices: a practical checklist
- 26 May 2026
- In Blog, Delivery
- ~7 min read
What is written acceptance?
Written acceptance is a short, signed-off checklist for one pilot slice: what goes in, what comes out, how errors are handled, and who is notified. Sponsors tick it each review cycle so scope stays visible and feedback has a place without derailing delivery.
Who this guide is for
Operational sponsors and delivery leads on bounded Data and AI pilots in Australian SMEs. Use it when demos look good in meetings but nobody can state what “done” means for the current slice.
Checklist per slice
- Inputs: systems, fields, and sample records the slice reads (staging tenant named).
- Outputs: drafts, CRM updates, messages, or reports the slice produces, including format and recipients.
- Error handling: what happens on timeout, missing data, or policy block, and who receives the alert.
- Human override: how frontline staff correct or reject an automated step.
- Logging: what is stored, for how long, and who can audit it.
Keep new ideas on a backlog
Capture good suggestions with a rough size before they replace the active slice. Review the backlog in the same meeting, but sign off the current slice first. That pattern pairs with weekly or fortnightly reviews you can actually keep.
How Yarli uses written acceptance
We attach acceptance to environments and engagement tiers so sponsors see proof before wider rollout. See staging for pilot demos when inputs and permissions must match production.
Published by Yarli Data, Sydney. Australia-wide delivery for operational Data and AI pilots.
Define acceptance for your next slice
Describe your current slice and stakeholders — we will draft acceptance language that fits your review cadence.