Building a China AI Partner-Evaluation Scorecard
Create an AI partner scorecard with weighted requirements, evidence confidence, disqualifying conditions and a separate record of unresolved questions.
A partner scorecard should make trade-offs visible without turning uncertain evidence into precise-looking numbers. Set requirements and weights before supplier meetings. Keep capability scores separate from confidence in the evidence, and define conditions that cannot be offset by a strong presentation in another category.
What to evaluate
Strategic fit
Test whether the partner solves a priority problem in the target market.
Product evidence
Assess production references, roadmap discipline and technical differentiation.
Delivery capability
Review integration, support, localisation and partner-management capacity.
Risk and terms
Examine security, data, intellectual property, continuity and commercial alignment.
Worked evaluation exercise
The following is an illustrative assessment exercise, not a reported customer result.
A supplier might score well on a demonstration but have unverified customer references and unclear support responsibilities. Record those gaps explicitly rather than assigning an average score. A mandatory data-handling requirement should remain a pass-or-fail condition if the buyer has defined it that way. After meetings, test how the ranking changes when weights shift; a fragile ranking indicates the need for further evidence rather than an immediate partner announcement.
Questions for the operating team
- What must be true for this partnership to create value?
- Which capability remains dependent on one supplier?
- How will both sides exit or change scope safely?
Warning signs
- Scoring based on presentation quality.
- Weightings decided after preferred vendors emerge.
- No evidence threshold for advancing stages.
Planning the visit
Use these questions to scope an industry-focused China AI program. Agree which records and operating workflows can be examined before confirming meetings; host participation and access require confirmation. Our research method explains how we structure the brief and follow-up.
References and scope
These references provide policy or risk-management context. They do not independently verify a host's performance or the illustrative exercise above.