Escalation trigger

Definition

A defined condition that transfers the task to a person with greater authority or expertise.

Practical test

Is there an observable condition that names when automation stops and who receives the case with enough evidence to act?

Example

Conflicting policy versions route the question to the policy owner; “ask someone if unsure” is not an operational trigger.

What to record

For escalation trigger to be operational rather than a reassuring label, record the trigger, detection mechanism, destination owner, evidence package, time limit, and fallback. If those facts cannot be observed or tested, do not treat the term itself as evidence that the workflow is safe.