Gate Validating

Validate Canvas phase transitions and assess readiness.

Phase Definitions

Phase Focus Canvas Sections Gate Out

0. Mode Business model choice 00 G0

1. Discovery Market understanding 01-06 G1

2. Definition Value & business model 07-09, 12-14 G2

3. Validation Assumption testing 10 G3

4. Launch Market entry 11, 15 G4

5. Execution Live operations

Process

Step 1: Identify Current Phase

Read existing Canvas files in strategy/canvas/ . Determine current phase based on which sections exist and are populated.

Step 2: Identify Target Gate

From request, determine which gate to validate:

• "Ready for definition?" → Check G1

• "Ready for validation?" → Check G2

• "Ready for launch?" → Check G3

• "Ready for execution?" → Check G4

Step 3: Check Gate Requirements

Load gate requirements (below). For each criterion:

• Read specified Canvas section

• Apply check logic

• Record PASS or FAIL

Step 4: Report Results

Generate gate check report with status, blockers, and recommendations.

Gate Requirements

G0: Mode Selection → Discovery

Requirement Section Check

Required

Mode declared 00.mode Contains VENTURE, BOOTSTRAP, or HYBRID

G1: Discovery → Definition

Requirement Section Check

Required

Segment defined 04.segments At least 1 segment with 2+ filterable criteria

Problems ranked 05.problem Top 3 problems with severity scores

Competition mapped 06.competitive Direct + indirect competitors listed

Soft Required

Context captured 01.context File exists with content

Market sized 03.opportunity TAM/SAM/SOM estimated

G2: Definition → Validation

Requirement Section Check

Required

UVP articulated 07.uvp Single sentence value prop exists

Solution defined 09.solution Feature list tied to problems + growth model

Pricing set 12.revenue At least 1 pricing tier defined

Unit economics 13.metrics CAC, LTV, LTV:CAC present

Soft Required

Defensibility 08.unfair Moat identified

Cost structure 14.costs Costs outlined

G3: Validation → Launch

Requirement Section Check

Required

Assumptions documented 10.assumptions Prioritized list exists

Critical identified 10.assumptions P0 assumptions marked

Soft Required

High-risk validated 10.assumptions

50% P1 validated

G4: Launch → Execution

Requirement Section Check

Required

Channels selected 11.channels Primary channel with CAC estimate

Motion defined 15.gtm Motion type declared with rationale

Launch sequence 15.gtm At least 2 phases defined

Soft Required

First customers

Identified or acquired

Output Format

Gate Check: [G0/G1/G2/G3/G4]

Transition: [Phase] → [Phase] Status: [PASS | FAIL]

Required Criteria

Soft Required

Blockers (if FAIL)

• [Specific missing element]
• [What needs to be done]

Recommendations

• [Suggested next steps]

Bypass Rules

Gates can be bypassed with explicit acknowledgment:

Gate Bypass

Gate: [G#] Missing: [criteria] Reason: [justification] Risk accepted: [what could go wrong] Mitigation: [how to handle if it fails]

⚠️ Proceeding with incomplete prerequisites

Document bypass in strategy/canvas/00.mode.md under a Bypasses section.

Quick Reference

Want To Must Pass Key Requirements

Define value prop G1 Segments + Problems

Set pricing G2 UVP + Solution + Growth model

Plan channels G2 Pricing + Unit economics

Plan GTM G3 Assumptions + Channels

Launch G4 Channels + GTM motion

Canvas Completion Status

For overall status check:

Canvas Status

Phase Completion

Section Detail

Next Gate: [G#]

Status: [X/Y required passing] Blockers: [List]

Boundaries

• Does NOT fix issues (reports only)

• Does NOT assess business viability or strategy quality

• Does NOT bypass gates without explicit user acknowledgment

• Validates structural completeness, not content quality

• Gate pass does not guarantee business success

• Bypass documentation required for any gate skip

• Does NOT validate external market conditions