Is there a clearly stated purpose for the information-based program?

• Is that objective worthwhile?

• Is it legally appropriate?

• Is there a demand or need for it?

• Is it already being accomplished or could it be accomplished through less intrusive or less costly means?

Is there a sound rational basis for the information-based program and each of its components?

• Is there a scientific foundation for the system?

Is there a sound experimental basis for the information-based program and each of its components?

• Does the system work to achieve its stated purpose?

• Has the new system been shown to work in simulations or laboratory settings or has it been field-tested?

• Did the test conditions take into account real-world conditions?

• Has it been applied to historical data to determine if it accurately accomplished its objective?

• Have experimental successes been replicated to demonstrate that they were not coincidence?

• Has the system been subjected to critical analysis, challenge, and likely countermeasures (for example, through “red-teaming”)?

Is the information-based program scalable?

• Has it been tested on a data set of adequate size to predict its scalability?

• Has it been tested against likely countermeasures or changes in technologies, threats, and society?

Is there a clearly stated set of operational or business processes that comprehensively specify how the information-based program should operate in the organization?

Is the information-based program capable of being integrated in practice with related systems and tools?

• Does the system interact effectively with the sources of information on which it relies?