---
title: 3.6 Three-Gate Evaluation Framework
description: Gate Framework
---

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# 3.6 Three-Gate Evaluation Framework

## How to decide what to automate next

**What this is**

Before building any new automation, every idea gets evaluated against three gates. This prevents building automations that nobody uses or that don't produce measurable output. The core principle: the metric is never time saved. It is always output multiplied.

**Gate 1 — Capacity (non-negotiable)**

| **Question** | Does this remove work from an architect so they can manage more clients — or improve the architect's ability to have meaningful conversations with clients? |
| --- | --- |

G1 is non-negotiable. If an automation does not pass G1, it stops here. This is the only gate that can block an idea entirely.

**Gate 2 — Retention**

| **Question** | Does this protect client health — through better meeting hygiene, proactive conversations, or improving the client's experience of working with RevGravy? |
| --- | --- |

G2 adds weight toward BUILD NOW. G1 + G2 = strong candidate.

**Gate 3 — Compounding Value**

| **Question** | Does this get more valuable over time, or does it enable other automations to work better? |
| --- | --- |

G3 pushes BUILD NOW to top priority. Infrastructure automations often pass G3 because future systems depend on them.

**Scoring and verdict**

| **Gates passed** | **Verdict** | **Action** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **G1 only** | BUILD NEXT | Queue for the following cycle |
| **G1 + G2** | BUILD NOW | Add to current or next cycle as priority build |
| **G1 + G2 + G3** | BUILD NOW (top priority) | Anchor build for next cycle — start here |
| **No G1** | DEFER | Do not build regardless of G2/G3 |

**How to run an evaluation**

1. Write the idea in one sentence: 'When X happens, automatically do Y, resulting in Z'
2. Run it through G1: does Z remove architect work or improve architect conversations?
3. Run it through G2: does Z improve client experience or health?
4. Run it through G3: does Z create compounding value or enable other systems?
5. Record the verdict in the Automation Catalog (Google Sheet)
6. Bring BUILD NOW candidates to Phil in the next cycle planning meeting

| **Core principle** | The metric is never time saved. It is always output multiplied. An automation that saves 30 minutes but doesn't increase client capacity or output quality has not earned its place. |
| --- | --- |

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