Use Case
Define the problem, intended outcome, business owner, measurable benefit and why AI is appropriate.
AI Governance Resource · v0.2
AI Use-Case Assessment
Use Case · Data Classification · Platform · Impact · Controls · Decision · Review
A lightweight pre-implementation decision aid for teams considering whether an AI use case should move from idea or experimentation into operational use.
Purpose
Ask the important questions early.
The assessment connects AI governance to controls organisations already have, particularly data classification, DLP, information security, privacy and acceptable use. The aim is to support useful experimentation without turning every AI idea into a large compliance exercise.
It is a practical governance aid rather than legal advice, certification or a replacement for privacy, security, procurement, records-management or formal enterprise risk processes where those are required.
Assessment Model
Data & Platform
Apply existing information classification and consider provider retention, training, location, access, monitoring and supplier risk.
Impact & Controls
Consider material harm, high-impact decisions, human oversight, quality, security, misuse and proportionate controls.
Decision & Review
Record the decision, required actions, ownership and triggers for reassessment when the model, data, platform, purpose or risk changes.
Key Principle
Do not create a second data-classification model just for AI.
Start with the organisation's existing information classification and ask whether that class of information is permitted in the proposed AI platform. Where the answer is unclear, the assessment calls for local IT, Information Security, Privacy or Risk review before proceeding.
Data sensitivity and use-case impact are related, but they are not the same thing. A low-sensitivity dataset can still support a high-impact decision, while a seemingly simple use case may still create unacceptable exposure if confidential information, credentials, secrets or protected configuration is involved.
Decision Outcomes
Four clear outcomes.
Proceed — low-risk use case; existing controls are adequate.
Proceed with Controls — acceptable once listed controls are implemented and owned.
Further Assessment Required — material uncertainty or elevated impact requires specialist review.
Do Not Proceed — risk cannot currently be reduced to an acceptable level or the use conflicts with organisational requirements.
Practical Principle
Make the decision deliberate, proportionate, documented and owned.
The objective is not to make every AI use case risk-free.
The tool is informed by the Australian Government Digital Transformation Agency AI impact-assessment approach and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework / Generative AI Profile. It is an independent practical tool and does not reproduce or claim compliance with either framework.
Organisations should apply their own legal, regulatory, privacy, security, procurement, data-classification, DLP and risk-management requirements.