Drift (System Drift) — Operational test: Performance metrics improve while harm or complaints trend upward.
Operational test "Performance metrics improve while harm or complaints trend upward." for Drift (System Drift) in the Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists) glossary category.
Operational test
Performance metrics improve while harm or complaints trend upward.
Use this test to validate operational readiness.
Pair this test with the minimum evidence criteria to capture both qualitative and quantitative signals.
- Evidence artifact: Artifact documenting how Drift (System Drift) is expected, enforced, or governed.
- Behavior signal: Observed behavior showing Drift (System Drift) in practice during real use or drills.
- Metric signal: Metric tracked to monitor Drift (System Drift) performance over time.
The tendency of systems to drift toward harm over time when incentives, data, or constraints shift. Without protective friction and moral performance indicators , drift quietly erodes safeguards and accountability.
B. Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists). Common patterns where responsibility dissolves and harm accelerates.
Warns that stability requires ongoing recalibration as systems evolve.