Consulting Practice
Evaluate client-data handling
A vendor promises secure collaboration but gives vague answers on data retention and export.
Platform evaluation
Free Canadian small business workbook
AI Vendor and Platform Evaluation Checklist
A worksheet for evaluating AI platforms through architecture fit, governance, privacy, workflow integration, and operational needs.
7 pages · PDF workbook · No email required
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Scroll through the full workbook below. Download the PDF for selectable text, printing and your own working copy.
What’s inside
A working guide
for a real decision.
Avoid choosing platforms only by feature demos. Compare vendors by data handling, integration model, tool support, observability, cost, and governance fit. Use this guide to make the operating choice explicit, test it with evidence, and record who owns the next decision.
Who this is for
Teams turning architecture work into a reusable operating artifact.
Bring the people who own the work
Include the workflow owner, a person who performs the work, a reviewer with authority to approve or stop it, and the relevant data or tool owner.
Includes an explainer, working worksheet, three illustrative examples and practical considerations. This is a planning PDF, not prebuilt automation software.
Use it with your own work
Five questions
to work through.
Choose one workflow. Record enough context to support a decision, then use the worksheet to name the owner, evidence and next review.
Data posture
How does the platform handle privacy, retention, training, and residency concerns?
Workflow fit
Does the platform support the actual operating process?
Integration fit
Can it read, write, and authenticate with required systems safely?
Governance fit
Can approvals, permissions, logs, and escalations be enforced?
Economics
Does pricing fit workflow frequency, value, and risk?
Illustrative examples from the workbook
Where this becomes practical.
Independent Retailer
Compare POS integrations
Several platforms show impressive demos, but only some support the store’s actual data and approval path.
Accounting Practice
Evaluate auditability
A platform can draft summaries but cannot clearly show source lineage or reviewer changes.
- AI-supported role
- Compare documented platform capabilities against a fixed rubric and cite vendor evidence.
- Human authority
- Procurement and business owners validate claims, contract terms, risks, and exit options.
- What to measure
- Track unanswered questions, tested claims, total cost, portability, and control gaps.
Illustrative scenarios, not client results or a promise of performance. The workbook includes additional case-specific prompts.
A useful first step
Use the workbook.
Bring us the next question.
Download and use it without booking a call. If you want help applying it, email Chris with the workflow you’re considering and what you want to improve.
Discuss your workflowFurther reading in the library
General operational guidance only. These resources are not legal, privacy, cybersecurity or regulatory advice.