The ‘Can I Use This Tool?’ Decision Flowchart
Three questions that resolve almost every ‘is this allowed?’ moment.
The big idea
This is the single most useful habit from the course — a three-question check to run before any AI prompt: (1) Is the data OFFICIAL: Sensitive or above? If yes → no public AI. (2) Is the provider one of the 18 in the PSPF Advisory, or has it passed a FOCI assessment? (3) Has the system been authorised under PSPF Requirements 0086–0088 by your Authorising Officer? Laminate it; keep it at your desk.
Key insight: Classification → approved provider → system authorisation. Run every prompt through those three gates and you'll resolve the vast majority of ‘can I use this?’ questions yourself.
What you'll see
The three-question decision flowchart, plus the tool-selection exercise.
The three gates (and a practice exercise)
Work each gate in order. Tap to expand.