Time horizon
The number of years you realistically expect to run a capability, over which all three options must be priced on the same basis. A build's front-loaded cost and a subscription's compounding cost cross over as the horizon lengthens, so a stated, shared horizon is what makes a TCO comparison honest.
Defined in 3 GAGE programs, which carry 3 distinct definitions of it. The wording above is taught in Certified AI Governance Professional (CAIGP).
How each discipline defines it
The same term does different work depending on who is using it. These are the definitions as each program teaches them, unedited.
The number of years you realistically expect to run a capability, over which all three options must be priced on the same basis. A build's front-loaded cost and a subscription's compounding cost cross over as the horizon lengthens, so a stated, shared horizon is what makes a TCO comparison honest.
The number of years a cost-benefit model counts costs and benefits over. Confusing a one-time cost with a recurring one across the time horizon (Section 3G's Pattern 4) is a common source of inflated or deflated totals.
The deadline by which a robot's dollar target must be reached, and the stated consequence if it is not. A target with no time horizon cannot be judged to have succeeded or failed, and is not a complete scope.
Where it is taught
The exact lessons this term appears in. The first module of every program is free with a free account.
- Build, buy, or wrap: the decision framework with your organization's real budget · Shipping AI and Surviving the Incident, Certified AI Governance Professional (CAIGP)
- Quantitative Impact Assessment: Modeling Regulation's Costs and Benefits · AI Economics and Impact Modeling, The AI Lobbyist: Certified AI Policy Strategist
- Scope a robot to a dollar-denominated problem, or do not build it · The Economics of Robots, the Business Case, Engineering Judgment and Professional Formation
Where it shows up at work
A definition is where Time horizon starts. The lessons above teach it inside the competencies below, which are what job descriptions ask for and what the GAGE credential records. Every link here is drawn from the same careers map that builds a role's readiness check.
Writes requirements, runs a fair evaluation, pilots within limits, and refuses a demo as evidence.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Decides where AI should be used, where it should not, and which use cases create measurable value, tied to the organization's priorities.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Reads bills and rules like a practitioner, compares options with costs and unintended effects, and writes briefs a decision-maker can act on.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Roles that hire for it
Each role page shows the full competency set, what the seat decides, and a readiness check against your own evidence.
- Chief Information Officer, technology leadership editionneeds it at depth
- Chief AI Officerneeds it at depth
- AI Vendor Risk Managerneeds working knowledge
- Third-Party AI Risk Analystneeds working knowledge
- Chief Technology Officer, AI engineering editionneeds working knowledge
- AI Policy Analystneeds it at depth · 7 open postings this week
How job descriptions say it
Postings rarely use the textbook word. These are the phrases the careers map reads as asking for the competencies above.
Where the frameworks place it: CISA software acquisition guidance.
One interview question about it
How do you buy an AI product well, from writing the requirement to the questions you ask in the demo?
Asked of candidates for buying ai well. Answering it in your own words is exactly how a GAGE topic is passed, and the credential records the pass where an employer can check it.
If you come from another field
Some backgrounds already carry this competency, and the readiness check gives credit for it.
- A business, MBA or technology management degree carries it as a claim to back up: Strategy and opportunity triage are the core of the degree.
- Legal and paralegal work carries it as work you can show: Memos, briefs and drafted terms are your record.
- Policy, legislative and government affairs staff carries it as work you can show: Briefs, memos and comparisons are your portfolio.
Terms it appears with
Not an alphabetical neighbourhood: these are the terms taught in the same lessons, ranked by how often they appear together.