A deterministic model for assurance position
PACT is designed to make assurance more consistent, more explainable, and easier to review over time. Instead of relying on subjective RAG reporting, it uses structured signals, explicit logic, and immutable snapshots.
Why this model exists
Reduce ambiguity without flattening governance into opinion
Traditional governance reporting often depends on interpretation, presentation style, and confidence in the room. PACT takes a more explicit approach so the basis for a position is clearer before the discussion starts.
PACT uses structured signals rather than open-ended status writing. That reduces interpretation drift and makes governance inputs more comparable across projects.
Signals are assessed through explicit rules, stage-aware logic, and posture caps. The same inputs produce the same result.
Governance positions can be traced back to the signals, evidence, and logic behind them when a result needs to be challenged or reviewed.
If a stakeholder challenges a result, the answer should not depend on who wrote the status update. It should be possible to point to the signals, evidence, and logic that produced the position.
Core mechanics
The mechanics behind the model
These mechanics are what make PACT consistent and reviewable in practice. They change how a governance position is formed, recorded, and reviewed over time.
Signals change by lifecycle stage because the evidence needed in Concept is not the same as the evidence needed in Release or Operate.
- Concept, Design, Build, Release, Operate
- Different evidence expectations by stage
- Consistent governance structure across the lifecycle
PACT uses a structured posture model with explicit caps where critical concerns should limit progression or confidence.
- Strong / Moderate / Partial / Minimal
- Caps surface blocking concerns clearly
- Helps make continuation decisions more explicit
Each governance cycle can be preserved as a point-in-time record so teams can review what was known, what changed, and what decisions followed.
- Time-stamped audit history
- Snapshot comparison over time
- Supports governance traceability
PACT treats deterioration, stale reporting, and unresolved concerns as governance signals rather than waiting for them to emerge informally.
- Snapshot-to-snapshot comparison
- Emerging concerns surfaced earlier
- Supports a steadier review cadence
Lifecycle fit
Stage-aware by design
PACT uses one governance model across the lifecycle, while adjusting the signals and evidence expected at each stage of delivery.
Early viability, intent, sponsorship, and scope clarity.
Solution readiness, planning confidence, dependencies, and design control.
Delivery confidence, implementation control, quality readiness, and execution stability.
Cutover discipline, operational preparedness, and residual risk handling.
Service stability, follow-through, controls, and ongoing governance rhythm.
PACT is intended to complement established delivery and governance approaches, including waterfall, agile, hybrid, PMI, and PRINCE2-style environments, without prescribing one operating method.