Principle Tension

Principle Tension Distinctions

What is Principle Tension?

• A situation where two valid principles push a system in different directions, requiring a decision based on the underlying values or goals being optimized.

What are Some Examples of Principle Tension

• Speed vs. Quality
• Standardization vs. Flexibility
• Autonomy vs. Alignment
• Exploration vs. Exploitation
• Local Optimization vs. Global Optimization

Principle Tension Relationships

What Interventions Mitigate Principle Tension?

• Spine Model:  In practice, when you’re stuck choosing between competing principles, you go up a level, clarify which value you’re optimizing for, and then pick the principle that best advances that value.

To-Do

• Principle Tension Distinctions
  • What Is Principle Tension?
  • What is Not Principle Tension?
• Principle Tension System
  • Zooming Out: Larger Systems Containing Principle Tension
  • Zooming In: Parts of Principle Tension
• Principle Tension Relationships
• Perspectives on Principle Tension