---
slug: "IntentGap"
name: "IntentGap"
type: "Protocols"
layer: "Society"
ref: "IntentGap#0c14"
sema_id: "sema:IntentGap#mh:SHA-256:0c14e83c328756592d5d0d2e690522c3589d33778ce38871cbcaf594f8dd679f"
tags: ["Society","Protocols"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json
url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/IntentGap/
related: ["Decision","Outcome","Coursecandor","Coursecandor#639e"]
---

# IntentGap

Analyzing intent-outcome divergence

Layer: Society · Category: Protocols

## Mechanism

Cognitive analysis of the divergence between intended [Decision](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Decision.md) and actual [Outcome](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Outcome.md). Examines why reality differed from intent: external factors, execution errors, model misspecification, or unforeseen consequences. Essential for learning and calibration.

## Invariants

- Analysis separates decision quality from outcome luck
- Causal attribution must be evidence-based

## Preconditions

- [Decision](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Decision.md) was made with explicit intent
- [Outcome](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Outcome.md) is observable and measurable

## Postconditions

- Gap analysis produced
- Learning opportunities identified

## Failure modes

- Hindsight Bias: Judging past decisions by outcomes rather than information available at decision time.
- Attribution Error: Blaming external factors when internal errors caused the gap.

## Builds on

- [Decision](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Decision.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Outcome](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Outcome.md) (Infrastructure; References)

## Used by

- [Coursecandor](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Coursecandor.md) (Society; References)

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:IntentGap#mh:SHA-256:0c14e83c328756592d5d0d2e690522c3589d33778ce38871cbcaf594f8dd679f`
- Ref: `IntentGap#0c14`
- Supersedes:
  - `sema:IntentGap#mh:SHA-256:5dc4af64c8178e975cb7d6c1325132b7af673a69e445a37f9dc1e4aa8565ef14`
  - `sema:IntentGap#mh:SHA-256:98b23d5faa3bb1d941a148b9c7596f6725f1b70d3447ee247243944e75114e13`
  - `sema:IntentGap#mh:SHA-256:5248808e441eab02fd0fbc6ae41abca66c3c66e7883d3f623d2f1a802b3e1cd1`

## Links

- [Pattern page](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/IntentGap/)
- [View in the interactive graph](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/#IntentGap)
- [JSON](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/IntentGap.json)
- [Index of all patterns](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json)