The principles that shaped PACT
PACT is built around a small set of design choices: structured evidence, explicit logic, stage-aware governance, and outputs that remain explainable over time.
Coordinating governance across lifecycle stages and multiple projects is difficult when language shifts, interpretation drifts, and status narratives depend too heavily on who wrote them. PACT exists to make governance positions more structured, comparable, and explainable.
Core principles
These are the design choices behind the product and the governance model.
Determinism over probability
Governance positions should be repeatable and reviewable. PACT forms outcomes using explicit rules applied to structured signals rather than opaque scoring or probabilistic health ratings.
- Same inputs produce the same posture
- Rules are explicit and stage-aware
- Supports more consistent governance language
Evidence before narrative
PACT is designed so that position follows evidence, not the other way around. Signals and supporting material are captured first, then used to form a governance view.
- Structured prompts reduce interpretation drift
- Outputs trace back to captured signals
- Less ambiguity in review and escalation
Stage-aware, method-agnostic
PACT respects lifecycle stages without prescribing how teams deliver. The signals change by stage while the underlying governance structure stays consistent.
- Concept to Operate lifecycle coverage
- Works with waterfall, agile, and hybrid delivery
- Complements established governance approaches
Supporting decisions
These decisions make the principles practical in real delivery environments.
Each governance cycle can produce a time-stamped snapshot that preserves what was known and what posture was formed from that evidence.
Traditional RAG reporting can vary too much across teams and contributors. PACT uses structured posture rules and caps to make the basis for a result clearer.
PACT avoids reliance on generative AI and opaque scoring. Deterministic logic makes review, security assessment, and adoption easier where controls are strict.
Portfolio-level conversations need consistent terms. Standardised signal capture and deterministic logic help reduce variability across projects.
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Explore the wider model behind these decisions
These principles sit behind the governance model and the wider supporting resources.