Glossary
Human approval gates (H1, H2, H3)
The human gates are the three points in the S1 Method where a named person must sign: H1 at Model, H2 at Decide and H3 at Deploy.
Glossary · strategy1 term
S1 Method
A plain definition, why it matters, how strategy1 uses it, and answers to the questions people ask most.
Definition
What is the S1 Method?
The S1 Method is strategy1's six-stage method (Sense, Model, Simulate, Decide, Deploy, Learn), with a named person signing at three human gates. AI does the research, modelling and red-teaming at each stage, and nothing advances past a gate (H1 at Model, H2 at Decide, H3 at Deploy) without a signed approval record.
Explained in full on The S1 Method.
Context
Why it matters
Most strategy projects end at the presentation. The S1 Method ends at Learn, which feeds Sense, so the plan is checked against what actually happened. Because people sign at fixed gates, it is always clear who approved the model, the decision and each change to a client's systems.
In practice
How strategy1 uses it
Every strategy1 engine runs the S1 Method. A Forward Deployed Strategist frames the decision at Sense; the Strategy Twin and its evidence ledger are built at Model; options are generated and red-teamed at Simulate; the Strategy Council signs the decision memo at Decide; named owners accept actions at Deploy; and KPIs are tracked at Learn.
FAQ
S1 Method: common questions
Is the S1 Method a linear project plan?
No. The S1 Method is a loop, not a line. Its last stage, Learn, feeds its first stage, Sense: KPIs are tracked against the decision that set them, and when results drift, the scenarios re-run and the Strategy Council sees a proposed next decision with its evidence.
Who works at each stage of the S1 Method?
AI and people split the work at every stage of the S1 Method. A Forward Deployed Strategist frames the decision at Sense, an ontology engineer reviews the Twin at Model, a strategist checks assumptions at Simulate, the Strategy Council and a Domain Fellow sign at Decide, the client's owners accept actions at Deploy, and a monthly Council reviews results at Learn.
Does the S1 Method apply to every strategy type?
Yes. strategy1 delivers all 26 strategy types through the S1 Method. Types with a dedicated engine run it inside that engine; the others are delivered through the S1 Method directly, with the same six stages and three human gates.
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