Print the matrix and use it as the standing reference document for your AI governance committee agenda item. Each quarter, mark which gaps are remediated (✓), in progress (~), or open (✗). Over time this produces a documented, dated governance committee record showing systematic AI governance improvement — exactly the evidence CQC Well-Led inspectors look for.

Use the matrix as the scope document for your internal AI governance audit. The nine gaps define the audit scope. The CQC KLoE column links each audit finding to the inspection framework. The severity column provides the risk-based audit prioritisation. Present the completed audit against the matrix at your next governance committee.

When preparing your Well-Led evidence portfolio for a CQC inspection, use the matrix to structure your evidence mapping. For each gap, the CQC KLoE column identifies the specific inspection question your evidence must answer. Annotate the printed matrix with your evidence references — it becomes the inspection-ready evidence map the CQC inspector can see at a glance.

Use the severity column (Critical / High / Medium) to build your remediation roadmap. Address all Critical gaps before High, all High before Medium. Assign an owner and target date to each gap using the ITIL 4 practice column to identify the correct practice owner. Present the roadmap to the board with the matrix as the supporting reference.

Use the EU AI Act article cross-reference column when assessing AI suppliers. For each gap, the EU AI Act article identifies the regulatory obligation that your supplier assessment should address. This gives your AI vendor evaluation framework a regulatory anchor — relevant for providers procuring AI tools from EU-connected suppliers or operating under NHS contractual requirements that reference the EU AI Act.