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Institute for Regenerative Systems Architecture^™IRSA^™Catalysing systems designed for renewal

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Institutional Memory

Purpose as First-Class Object

Definition

The architectural principle that purpose must be explicitly defined, persistently identifiable, and structurally referenced—neither implicit nor symbolic. Purpose becomes something the institution is obliged to relate to, rather than something it 'has' by virtue of culture or leadership.

Example

Rather than 'our mission is public education,' purpose as first-class object means: 'Mission Object M₁ (public education) with provenance (1842 charter), constraints (non-commercial), and typed relationships to current programs.'

Source

IMG Section 3

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Related Terms from Institutional Memory

Institutional Memory Without Myth

Structural Memory

Narrative Drift

Narrative Memory

Interpretive vs Preservative Memory

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