8. Proceed, Caution, Stop, and Quarantined

DACS defines four Gate readiness states to keep decision-readiness language simple, visible, and actionable.

These readiness states are separate from control results. A control result is Pass, Fail, or Not Applicable. An exception may support constrained Caution, but it does not convert a failed control into Pass.

Proceed

Applicable controls have passed for the stated decision scope. Use is permitted only within the approved scope.

Caution

Caution permits only explicitly authorized constrained use. The constraints, monitoring or remediation requirements, responsible authority or approved rule reference, and review condition must be recorded and enforceable. An automated workflow may continue only within those recorded bounds. Caution does not establish DACS conformance for the decision scope and does not convert a failed control into Pass.

Stop

A control failure, prohibition, missing authority, invalid context, or contract violation prevents material use for the stated decision scope. Use is not permitted until the blocking condition is resolved or an authorized constrained-use path explicitly supports Caution where permitted.

Quarantined

Evidence is known, discovered, inferred, generated, imported, retrieved, or available but has not passed the required controls. It may be explored, reviewed, remediated, or routed through additional Gates, but it must not be relied on for material decisions until the required controls pass or an approved constrained-use exception exists.

Quarantined allows candidate evidence to be captured, reviewed, and remediated without relying on it for material decisions. Stop prevents failed, prohibited, or unauthorized evidence from being used for the stated decision scope.

The model is intentionally simple. It allows executives, architects, governance teams, analysts, AI teams, automation teams, and auditors to discuss decision readiness using the same language.