Principle 7: Observe Is Passive Sensing

Observe represents passive sensing of a system’s state without interpretation or intervention.

If something is being detected, measured, or noticed — and no judgment, decision, or action occurs — it must be modeled as Observe, not Decision or Action.

Plain-English Summary

Observe represents passive sensing of a system’s state. No interpretation, judgment, or intervention occurs during Observe. Something is simply detected, measured, or noticed.

What this Principle Means

Observe captures awareness without action. If meaning is assigned, a conclusion is drawn, or a response is chosen, the step is no longer Observe—it becomes Decision or Action.

Why This Distinction Matters

When sensing and interpretation are mixed, responsibility blurs and diagnosis fails. This principle ensures that awareness is separated from response, making execution and automation clearer.

What Counts as Observe

Observe exists when:

State is sensed or measured
No response is selected
No change is applied to the system

Concrete Examples

Human systems: Reading a dashboard, checking a status light, viewing a report.

Observed reality: Monitoring an inbox or queue without acting.

Natural phenomena: Temperature reading, pressure increase, color change.

What Is Not Observe

Interpreting meaning (Action)
Choosing a response (Decision)
Passive transformation (Process)
Event-based progression (Cue)

Mini Case: Misclassified Observation

A step labeled “review performance” causes confusion. When analyzed, it includes Observe (view metrics), Decision (identify issue), and Action (adjust settings). Separating these clarifies accountability and timing.

How to Apply This Principle

Ask whether anything changes during the step.
If not, determine whether sensing is occurring.
If sensing occurs without response, label it Observe.
Separate any interpretation or action into subsequent steps.

Common Misunderstandings

Treating observation as analysis
Collapsing Observe and Decision
Assuming Observe implies action

Quick Diagnostic Questions

Is anything being changed here?
Could two observers see the same thing?
Would automation be able to perform this step?

If You Only Remember One Thing

If state is being sensed without response, it is Observe.

Canonical Statement

Observe represents passive sensing without interpretation or intervention.