Why This Framework Exists
AI procurement is fundamentally different from traditional software buying. The stakes are higher, the risks are less obvious, and vendors often hide critical details behind "proprietary" claims. This framework cuts through the marketing noise to focus on what actually matters for enterprise deployment.
The Six Evaluation Criteria
SEE - Transparency
Can you see how it works? Visibility into system prompts, models, and decision-making processes.
CHANGE - Control
Can you control it? Ability to customize prompts, swap models, and configure behavior.
USE - Quality
Is it actually useful? Real-world output quality, user adoption, and practical value delivered.
ADAPT - Future-Proof
Can it evolve? Support for latest models, autonomy controls, and architectural flexibility.
LEAVE - Exit Strategy
Can you exit gracefully? Data portability, knowledge retention, and migration paths.
LEARN - Capability
Does it build internal capability? Skills transfer, documentation, and team development.
How to Use This Framework
1. Start Evaluation
Answer 20 questions about your vendor across the six criteria.
2. Review Grades
Each criterion receives a color-coded grade based on your answers.
3. Generate Reports
Export comprehensive PDFs or Markdown reports for stakeholders.
4. Compare Vendors
Use pre-analyzed examples as benchmarks for your evaluation.
AI Adoption Maturity Model
Different maturity levels require different vendor evaluation priorities. Understand where you are and where you're going.
Level 1: Individual Use
AI as personal productivity tool. Focus: usability and output quality.
Level 2: Workflow Augmentation
AI integrated into business processes. Focus: integration and consistency.
Level 3: Organizational Transformation
AI reshapes how work gets done. Focus: all six criteria are critical.
Level 4: B2B Integration
AI as organizational interface. Focus: ecosystem governance and autonomy.
Pre-Analyzed Vendor Examples
See how real vendors score across the six criteria. Use these as benchmarks for your own evaluations.
Coming Soon
Detailed vendor analyses across all six criteria will be added soon, including enterprise search platforms, AI coding assistants, and more.
Ready to Evaluate Your First Vendor?
Use the interactive evaluation tool to systematically assess AI vendors across the six critical criteria.
Start Evaluation Tool