Principle 2: Operators Describe State Transitions, Not Intent

Plain-English Summary

OneRoute operators describe what changes from one step to the next. They do not describe why something is done, who wants it done, or what someone intends. This allows the same operators to be used for planned processes, observed behavior, and natural phenomena.

 

What this Principle Means

​In many methods, steps are written in terms of purpose or motivation. OneRoute intentionally avoids this. Each operator captures only the type of transition that occurs—such as acting, waiting, sensing, deciding, or transforming. Intent may exist, but it is outside the scope of the operator.

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Why Intent is Excluded

​Intent is unstable: it varies by person, role, context, and time. State transitions are stable: they can be observed, repeated, measured, and compared. By focusing on transitions rather than intent, OneRoute remains objective and universally applicable.

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Three Contexts, Same Operators

Process Planning:

• What Varies: Goals, ownership, policy intent

• What Stays the Same: Sequence of state transitions

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Process Understanding:

• What Varies: Explanations people give

• What Stays the Same: Steps that actually occur

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Natural Phenomena:

• What Varies: No intent exists

• What Stays the Same: Transitions driven by time, rules, or thresholds

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Concrete Examples (Three Contexts)

• Human process: “Approve the request to ensure compliance.” OneRoute removes the intent (“ensure compliance”) and records the transition:

  • Observe

  • Decision

  • Action

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• Observed reality: A worker says they are “being careful.” OneRoute captures repeated Observe and Decision steps, regardless of motivation.

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• Natural system: Water boils not because it ‘intends’ to, but because temperature crosses a threshold. That threshold is modeled as a Cue, followed by a Process.

 

Mini Case: Why Intent Breaks Analysis

Two teams describe the same step differently: one says “review carefully,” the other says “review quickly.” Both perform the same sequence of Observe, Decision, and Action. By removing intent, OneRoute makes the structure comparable.

 

How to Apply This Principle

1. Ignore explanations, justifications, and goals.

2. Ask: what changes state at this step?

3. Label the step using the operator that matches that change.

4. Capture intent separately, if needed, outside the route.

 

Common Misunderstandings

• Thinking intent must be preserved inside steps

• Believing operators imply motivation or quality

• Treating descriptive mapping as judgment

 

Quick Diagnostic Questions

• What changes from before this step to after it?

• Could this transition occur without human intent?

• Would two observers describe this step the same way?

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​​If You Only Remember One Thing

Operators capture how reality moves, not why anyone wants it to.

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Canonical Statement

OneRoute operators describe state transitions, not intent.

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