Teach the Principle — People Need to Understand Why, Not Only What to Do

When constraints change, rigid rules break. Principles reveal what must actually be protected.

For every important rule, explain which risk it reduces, which value it protects, or which trade-off it manages.

Rule — what is the current practice?

Reason — why does the rule exist?

Principle — what underlying value or logic matters?

Judgment — what decision does the principle imply in a new context?

Independent Action — can others act correctly without asking you?

“Always prioritize users” is too broad. “Reduce cognitive load before adding new capability” offers clearer decision value.

Each principle should include costs: when it is strong, when it is weak, and which other principle it may conflict with.

Show how the same principle can produce different decisions under different constraints. This teaches judgment instead of imitation.

A mature principle can explain when exceptions are reasonable and why.

Do not only test whether someone remembers the rule. Give them a new case and see whether they can derive a decision from the principle.

Principle name → Problem it protects → Why it matters → Trade-off → Example → Counterexample → Exception → Questions to ask.

Do not only ask, “Are people following the process correctly?”

Ask: “Do they understand the principle deeply enough to make the right decision when the process no longer applies exactly?”

Rule → Reason → Principle → Judgment → Independent Action.