---
url: https://www.adoptionlab.ai/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/data-stoplight/
title: "Sort your data with a stoplight | Explore | AdoptionLab.AI"
description: "Explore, phase 1 of the 5E Model for human-centered AI adoption. Red, yellow, and green rules make safe pilots easy."
generated: 2026-10-22T16:29:41.186Z
---[AI Adoption Roadmap](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap) / [1. Explore](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap#explore)
Phase 1: Explore
# Sort your data with a stoplight
Red, yellow, and green rules make safe pilots easy.
Red data never goes into AI tools. Yellow data needs approval. Green data is safe to use, like your published annual report or program descriptions. Starting pilots on green data lets people learn without putting anything at risk.
[← Write a two-part AI policy](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/write-a-two-part-policy) [Engage the middle layer →](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/engage-the-middle-layer)
More in Explore
- [Be the sense-maker](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/be-the-sense-maker)
- [Make a pledge you can keep](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/make-a-pledge)
- [Run a baseline assessment](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/run-a-baseline)
- [Offer amnesty for hidden use](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/offer-amnesty)
- [Write a two-part AI policy](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/write-a-two-part-policy)
- [Sort your data with a stoplight](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/data-stoplight)
- [Engage the middle layer](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/engage-the-middle-layer)
- [Map what helps and what hinders](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/force-field-analysis)
- [Lead with invitation, not obligation](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/lead-with-invitation)
- [Give everyone basic training](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/basic-training)
[See all five phases →](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap)
Go deeper in the booklet
A Leader's Roadmap to Human-Centered AI
The Explore chapter walks through this phase with a worked example, plus the field kit: survey, rubrics, and worksheets.
[Get the booklet on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXGN86YZ)