Define the Proof: Decide What ‘Fixed’ Looks Like Before You Spend

Objective Stop funding rework. Before you green-light a new initiative, define what proof will show the problem is actually fixed. This diagnostic builds that evidence chain across P1–P6.

Stage 1 – Declare Your Proof Condition

Most enterprises repair symptoms. They roll out a “solution” but skip the measurement of proof. Every architecture fix must begin with one clear validation condition.

Diagnostics Question

What proof convinces you the blocker is fixed? ▪ KPI moves within two weeks ▪ Exception rate halves ▪ Manual workarounds vanish ▪ Audit passes clean

Your answer defines which structural gate you are really testing.

Stage 2 – Map Proof to Structure

Proof Chosen	Anatomy Gate Span	What to Observe
KPI moves	P1 → P2	Strategy alignment and process continuity
Exceptions drop	P3 → P4	Logic and specification coherence
Manual work ends	P5 → P6	Execution automation and run stability
Audit passes	P1 → P6	Full-loop integrity proof

Each proof type defines where your data should come from and how soon change should appear.

No proof, no claim of fix.

Stage 3 – Lock Your Evidence

1. Write the metric. Be specific (KPI, defect %, SLA time).

2. Fix the measurement window. Before/after periods must overlap in operation.

3. Assign ownership. Name the person, not the team.

4. Record the baseline.  No baseline = no validation.
   

Until evidence moves, nothing is “done.”

Stage 4 – Run the Validation Loop

• Week 1: Implement the change linked to your proof condition.

• Week 2: Collect live metrics and exceptions.

• Week 3: Compare results with baseline.

• Week 4: Publish new Gate Score and trace flow restoration.

Architecture maturity isn’t a powerpoint presentation; it’s a dataset.

The image above represents the validation path of your enterprise’s evidence loop.

Node	Meaning	Color Code	Interpretation
KPI	Proof at strategy/process layer (P1–P2)	🟩 Green	✅ Proof achieved — measurable outcome visible
Exceptions	Proof at system/spec layer (P3–P4)	🟧 Amber	⚠ Partial — logic alignment in progress
Manual	Proof at implementation/operations layer (P5–P6)	🟧 Amber	⚠ Still dependent on manual effort
Audit	Full-loop proof across all P layers	🟧 Amber	⚠ Awaiting complete validation

Visual Logic

• The copper line is your enterprise’s flow of evidence.

• The green node (KPI) on the left signals the first proof achieved — strategy expressed into a measurable result.

• The amber nodes (Exceptions → Manual → Audit) on the right show where validation is still catching up.

• Reading it left to right mirrors the P1 → P6 logic of your Anatomy Model: Strategy → Process → Systems → Components → Implementation → Operations.

Interpretation Message

When you see above x-ray:

Proof has started appearing at the KPI level, but flow validation is incomplete through later stages.

Stage 5 – Engage the Evidence Desk

Send your measured result to the ICMG FastTrack Evidence Desk. Analysts map your metrics to the correct P layer and compute the Gate Health Score. That feeds into the Think Tank Rating and the Annual Enterprise Architecture Awards.

Stage 6 – Why It Matters

Without proof, fixes collapse into slides and slogans.

With proof, architecture becomes a performance instrument.

Leadership shifts from talking about value to measuring value creation.

Call to Action This diagnostic is part of the FastTrack Evidence Validation Series 2025.

• Take diagnostics question

• Comment “Validation Map”

• Receive the template linking proof conditions to P layers

• Book an Evidence Review Session