| Stage | Accountable owner | Required output | Proceed when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Define the decision | Commercial sponsor | One-page decision brief | Use, deadline and authority are explicit |
| 2. Delimit the asset | Archive / product lead | Inventory and rights cohorts | Candidate scope can be separated from exclusions |
| 3. Validate demand | Licensing lead | Dated buyer-route register | A relevant requirement is more than a sales claim |
| 4. Clear a pilot | Counsel with security | Permissions and release decision | Chosen sample is authorised for the specified test |
| 5. Compare partners | Commercial, finance, legal | Like-for-like proof pack and cost comparison | Role, fees and evidence gaps are understood |
| 6. Run the test | Data lead and buyer technical contact | Versioned pilot and acceptance report | Results satisfy pre-agreed requirements |
| 7. Negotiate and approve | Counsel and executive sponsor | Rights schedule, economics and signed agreement | Unresolved conditions are accepted by authorised owners |
| 8. Deliver and operate | Licensing operations | Release, reconciliation and renewal records | The team can reproduce fulfilment and payment |
The stages can overlap, but sample release must not precede its approval. A commercial enquiry can be explored with catalogue metadata while permissions work proceeds. “Hold” is a legitimate stage outcome; use it when the next spend cannot be justified by the available evidence.