Silent drift

In plain terms

Silent drift is the course of execution gradually diverging from the chosen direction without the significance of that divergence being recognized. The work may still appear reasonable against immediate references such as the plan, specification, scope, or deadline while becoming progressively less connected to what the change was intended to achieve and the reasoning through which it was being pursued.

How it works

Execution inevitably brings situations that were not fully anticipated when the direction was established. A technical constraint comes up, a workaround is suggested, and the discussion focuses on effort, time, or delivery risk. Each decision can make sense on its own, while the cumulative effect gradually moves the work away from what the change was meant to achieve. The project can still deliver what is in scope and be seen as successful, even though some potential has been lost along the way.

Silent drift is one form of lost reasoning continuity, the characteristic vulnerability of the Execution function. The other is emerging evidence that bears on the reasoning behind the direction or intent not being connected back to it.

Where divergence is significant, the relevant reasoning can be reconsidered as far upstream as needed. Reconsideration may confirm what was already established or lead to a revision of direction or intent. What silent drift removes is the recognition that reconsideration is needed.

Intent tracing maintains the continuity needed to recognize significant divergence. It keeps the reasoning behind intent and direction connected to the course of execution, so that divergence can be understood in relation to that reasoning and earlier reasoning can be reconsidered when needed.

Where it sits

Silent drift is one form of the lost reasoning continuity that is the characteristic vulnerability of the Execution function. Intent tracing is the practice that addresses that vulnerability.

Related concepts

Each relationship is stated as a claim, so it can be checked against the definitions it connects.

• Silent drift is one form of lost reasoning continuity, the characteristic vulnerability of the Execution function of the Intent Loop.
• It contributes to the execution gap arising from lost continuity.
• Intent tracing is the practice that addresses it.
• It is a failure of continuity rather than of quality: the reasoning behind the direction may have been sound and simply stopped being connected to the work.
• The course of execution diverging from the chosen direction is not by itself silent drift; the drift is silent when the significance of that divergence is not recognized.

Referenced by

• Execution
• Intent Integrity
• Execution gap
• Execution
• Intent tracing