Readiness is operational
Data readiness is not only about file quality. It includes ownership, access rules, source reliability, and the context needed for AI agents to support decisions safely.
When these conditions are unclear, teams spend more effort correcting outputs than improving the workflow.
Prepare the data layer around use cases
The most practical readiness work starts from a specific workflow and identifies which documents, records, and permissions are actually needed.
This prevents overbuilding infrastructure before the business need is clear.