What this is
AI Project Readiness Checklist
“Use your tools—don’t let your tools use you.”
— Sharing Salish working principle
A guided self-assessment for clarifying what you need, what information may be involved, and whether managed AI assistance is an appropriate next step.
You do not need to understand AI or know which tool to use. Begin with the need, the intended result, and the information required to complete the work.
This checklist can help you determine whether:
• You can complete the project yourself.
• Sharing AI Assistant Services may be appropriate.
• The need should be directed to another service or qualified professional.
Move through the questions in order.
Read through each section in order.
You do not need to record an answer on this page. Pause wherever a question reveals something you have not yet decided. By the end, you should be able to describe your need and identify an appropriate next step.
1. Clarify the need
I can describe the problem or unfinished project in plain language.
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I know who the finished work is intended to help.
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I can explain why the work matters now.
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I know what has already been attempted.
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I can identify the main point where I am stuck.
2. Define the result
Consider what completion would actually look like.
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What should exist when the project is finished?
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Will the result be used privately, publicly, or within a business?
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Does the work involve research, writing, organization, planning, design, or system setup?
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Is there a deadline?
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What must remain unchanged?
You are ready to continue when:
You can describe the intended result without naming an AI tool.
3. Consider the information
Identify what the project may require before sharing anything.
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What documents, notes, images, or records may be involved?
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Which information is actually necessary?
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Does anything contain private, sensitive, or confidential details?
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Can identifying information be removed?
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What would you want to know about how the information will be handled?
You are ready to continue when:
You know what information may be shared and what should remain private.
4. Identify required judgment
AI can assist with work, but the final decision should not be delegated.
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Which decisions must remain yours?
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Will factual claims require sources?
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Must particular terminology be preserved?
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Will the result require independent verification?
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What could happen if the result is inaccurate?
You are ready to continue when:
You know what must be reviewed, verified, or personally decided.
5. Choose an appropriate path
After clarifying the need, consider which direction fits.
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Can you reasonably complete this yourself?
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Would a template or public resource be enough?
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Do you need help organizing the project?
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Could managed AI assistance reduce the workload?
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Does any part require another skilled service or qualified professional?
You are ready to continue when:
You can identify the most appropriate next step, even if that step is not AI assistance.
6. Prepare to explain the project
Before requesting help, gather the essential information.
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A plain-language description of the need
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The intended finished result
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Relevant deadlines or limitations
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Information you are prepared to share
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Boundaries, terminology, or details that must be preserved
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Questions you want answered before proceeding
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER?
I can handle this myself.
Use the clarity you gained to begin the work or choose an appropriate resource.
