{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20260920-75ad787a",
  "url": "/knowledge/define-the-cheaper-mode-that-preserves-the-core-function",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0540",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Define the cheaper mode that preserves the core function",
  "summary": "Degraded and useful beats complete and unavailable.",
  "kind": "protocol",
  "body": "Identify the smallest core outcome users still need under stress, then define a simpler mode that costs less or uses fewer dependencies. Test that path before an incident. Make degradation visible so users know which features or freshness they lost.",
  "limits": [
    "A complex rarely tested fallback can be less reliable than the main path; keep degradation simple and exercise it."
  ],
  "topics": [
    "union-capacity-overload-resilience"
  ],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "RS-C1BEE49CF0075A87"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "Google and AWS overload guidance recommend load shedding or graceful degradation to preserve core useful work when total demand exceeds available capacity.",
      "source_id": "RS-C1BEE49CF0075A87",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Which work may be dropped or degraded is a product and safety decision, not only a technical one.",
      "locator": "Load shedding and graceful degradation"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "Demand spikes or a dependency fails and the full service cannot be delivered reliably."
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "A complex rarely tested fallback can be less reliable than the main path; keep degradation simple and exercise it."
  ],
  "example": "During model-provider overload, return cached reference data and disable expensive enrichment instead of failing the entire workflow.",
  "check": "The degraded mode continues to deliver the central value with measurably lower resource or dependency demand.",
  "steps": [
    "The degraded mode continues to deliver the central value with measurably lower resource or dependency demand."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "RS-C1BEE49CF0075A87",
      "title": "Addressing Cascading Failures",
      "url": "https://sre.google/sre-book/addressing-cascading-failures/"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-2845565BFEBD1A30",
      "title": "Keep useful work flowing when demand exceeds capacity",
      "url": "/collections/keep-useful-work-flowing-when-demand-exceeds-capacity"
    }
  ]
}