Definition
The accumulated harm a system has caused but not repaired. It grows as the lag between harm and response lengthens and people lose trust. It is paid down through tiered remedies, repair records people can read, and a shorter time to restore people.
Targets & breach behavior. Measurement window: monthly backlog review; quarterly audit. Target / floor / ceiling: target 0 unresolved cases, floor ≤ 30 days outstanding, ceiling 90 days. Owner: traceable ownership (required). Breach action: trigger restitution sprints, funding escalation, or safe pause of new harm classes. Public surface: repair log updates plus receipts and time transparency on restoration timelines.