Suite · Methodology
Certification Decision Process
The Certification Decision Process defines how Certifier
combines applicable standards, governed evidence, evaluation criteria,
explicitly adopted scoring, and certification logic into documented
certification determinations.
Every certification determination should be understandable,
repeatable, transparent, and supported by documented reasoning.
This surface does not govern Suite Governance decisions or GDRs.
Scope Boundary
The Certification Decision Process is a certification-specific methodology surface. It governs Certifier determinations, not Suite Governance decisions.
Certification Decision Process → Certifier / certification-domain methodology.
Governance Decision Lifecycle → Suite Governance.
Governance Decision Record (GDR) → formal governance decision record.
CERTIFICATION DECISION ≠ GOVERNANCE DECISION.
CERTIFICATION DETERMINATION ≠ GDR.
CERTIFIER REVIEW ≠ SUITE GOVERNANCE REVIEW.
CERTIFIER APPROVAL ≠ CONSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL.
Decision Inputs
Certification determinations are based upon applicable
standards, governed evidence, evaluation results,
explicitly adopted scoring where applicable,
and certification logic.
Decision Outcomes
Certification determinations are governed by the applicable Certifier standards,
methodology, criteria, scoring where explicitly adopted, and certification logic.
Lifecycle states or later lifecycle actions such as suspension, revocation, expiration,
renewal, retirement, or archival treatment remain distinct from the certification determination.
Human Review
Methodology should support documented human review
whenever professional judgment,
exception handling,
or appeals become necessary.
Automated Review
Where the governing certification methodology permits it,
deterministic logic may allow software to execute
repeatable decision logic. Automation does not
acquire Certifier or governance authority.
Appeals
Certification decisions may be reviewed
when additional evidence,
corrections,
or procedural concerns
are presented.
Decision Documentation
Every certification decision should include
sufficient explanation
to allow independent review
of the reasoning.
Future AI Assistance
Artificial intelligence may assist
with evidence review, summarization,
and recommendation where permitted,
while certification determinations remain governed
by Certifier authority and applicable methodology.
Institutional Consistency
Equivalent governed inputs evaluated
under materially equivalent standards,
methodology, criteria, and rules should
support reproducible certification determinations.
Relationship to Suite Governance
Suite Governance uses a separate governance lifecycle. This certification methodology must not be interpreted as the process for constitutional or governance decisions.
Suite Governance → Proposal → Classification → Review → Determination → Approval → GDR → Publication → Implementation → Preservation.
Certification Decision Process ≠ Governance Decision Lifecycle.
Certification Determination ≠ Governance Determination.
Certification Record ≠ Governance Decision Record.
If a certification-related issue would change institutional role, canonical ownership, Suite membership, authority allocation, or another constitutional boundary, it must move to Suite Governance / Architecture Reconciliation.
Methodology Role
The Certification Decision Process represents
the decision-reasoning layer
of the Satoshium Certification Methodology.
It transforms applicable standards,
governed evidence,
evaluation,
certification logic,
and explicitly adopted scoring
into transparent, documented,
and reviewable Certifier determinations.
A certification determination should never appear arbitrary.
Every outcome should be explainable, reviewable, and reproducible.
Certification determination ≠ Suite Governance decision.