KAOS 6 Guide

Six questions before any AI project.

The KAOS 6 is a simple way to stop AI adoption becoming noise. It turns vague interest into a practical conversation about workflow, accountability, data, control and measurable outcomes.

Workflow

What exactly are we improving?

Name the specific workflow. Avoid vague goals like use AI or be more efficient.

Owner

Who is accountable?

Define who reviews, approves, follows up and owns the result.

Signal

What causes something to happen?

Identify the trigger: request, deadline, invoice, note, incident, form, file or exception.

Data

What information can we trust?

Know the source of truth before summaries, routing or recommendations are trusted.

Control

Where must a human remain involved?

Keep judgement, approvals and sensitive decisions visible and auditable.

Outcome

What measurable result should change?

Define the business result: time saved, missed actions reduced, reporting faster, risk lower.

KAOS 6 reminder

AI is OK when these six answers are clear.

Workflow

What exactly are we improving?

Owner

Who is accountable?

Signal

What causes something to happen?

Data

What information can we trust?

Control

Where must a human remain involved?

Outcome

What measurable result should change?