Systems Foundations Explorer
Explore foundational properties of regenerative systems
Evaluate your system against the four foundational properties of regenerative systems. Answer each criterion to determine your system's regenerative capacity. Systems must exhibit all four properties to be considered truly regenerative.
Self-Renewal Capacity
The system can renew its own components without external intervention.
Components are designed for cyclical replacement
Renewal processes are built into normal operations
System depends on constant external inputs for maintenance
Structural Memory
Purpose is encoded in structure, not just narrative or documentation.
Key constraints are architectural, not policy-based
Purpose survives leadership changes automatically
Mission depends on specific individuals remembering it
Temporal Coherence
Internal rhythms align with external cycles and long-term goals.
Planning horizons match natural system cycles
Short-term incentives align with long-term health
Quarterly pressures override decade-scale thinking
Shock Resilience
The system maintains function through disturbances and shocks.
Redundancy is built into critical functions
System can operate in degraded mode if needed
Single points of failure exist in key processes
Design Principles from FRS Theory
Container-Object Separation
Distinguish between the container (governance structure) and the object (purpose/meaning).
Structural Priority
Encode constraints in architecture before policy, policy before culture.
Cycle Alignment
Match operational rhythms to natural regeneration timescales.
Fragility Decoupling
Decouple mission from political, fiscal, donor, and leadership cycles.