Glossary

Threshold

The quantification of the tolerance allowed for a satisfaction criterion, with a target, a band and a direction (maximize, minimize or stay within range).

The quantification of the tolerance allowed for a satisfaction criterion, with a target, a band and a direction (maximize, minimize or stay within range). It is what turns a qualitative criterion into a measurable condition.

The direction — whether more is better or worse — seems obvious until an indicator is automated. Left undeclared, a dashboard can celebrate as improvement what is in fact deterioration, and nobody notices for months.

Related terms

Decision criterion

The threshold or rule that turns a measure into actionable information, signalling whether performance is acceptable, needs attention or demands intervention.

Ex-ante simulation

Testing designed time thresholds against the real or observed distribution of cases before activating them.

Goal

The quantification of a strategic objective for a given period, with a threshold and an accountable owner.

KPI

A measure that quantifies a declared attribute of something in the architecture, and therefore verifies whether an objective was met.

Satisfaction criterion

An evaluable predicate that makes an expected outcome verifiable. It answers what must be true at completion, what must not occur, and which data prove fulfilment; without criteria, the…

Weak satisfaction

The level of fulfilment in which normal trajectories reach the outcomes but breach non-critical thresholds, or where ungoverned exceptions remain.

Well-formed objective

An objective that satisfies all well-formedness rules across its nine components: purpose, stakeholders, outcomes, criteria, thresholds, constraints, risks, capabilities and evidence.