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The Operating Dossier

How work actually works

Published by Matt Mroz

The Operating Index

The recurring questions, fallacies, and terms from The Operating Dossier. Each one comes from a real story.

Operating Questions

What process exists to solve a problem that isn't real?

What threshold makes the workaround unnecessary?

Appears in

Where do our policies and procedures differ from how the work actually gets done?

Operating Fallacies

The Enforcement Fallacy

Treating repeated rule-breaking as a need for stronger enforcement, instead of a signal to examine the rule, the incentives, or the work itself.

Defined Terms

Shrimp Counter

A person who devotes more attention, control, or resources to an issue than its contribution to the important result justifies.