{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20260920-75ad787a",
  "url": "/knowledge/keep-mitigation-work-out-of-the-hidden-buffer",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0626",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Keep mitigation work out of the hidden buffer",
  "summary": "Planned risk reduction is still planned work.",
  "kind": "principle",
  "body": "Put deliberate prevention and mitigation activities—tests, rehearsals, backups, reviews, compatibility checks—into the base plan when you intend to perform them. Reserve contingency for uncertainty that remains. This keeps essential safety or quality work from being squeezed out to 'save buffer.'",
  "limits": [
    "Organizations use different accounting conventions; preserve the conceptual distinction even if financial labels differ."
  ],
  "topics": [
    "union-project-estimation-and-delivery-realism"
  ],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "RS-F874002E4A58CC3B"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "The Green Book distinguishes prevention or mitigation costs from contingency for risks that remain after mitigation.",
      "source_id": "RS-F874002E4A58CC3B",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Organizations may use different accounting labels; the useful distinction is planned work versus allowance for residual uncertainty.",
      "locator": "Optimism bias and contingency"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "A known prevention task is buried inside contingency because it may not feel like 'real work.'"
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "Organizations use different accounting conventions; preserve the conceptual distinction even if financial labels differ."
  ],
  "example": "A canary run is scheduled as normal delivery work; extra repair time if the canary exposes unexpected defects sits in contingency.",
  "check": "The base plan contains the risk-reduction work you actually intend to do.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "RS-F874002E4A58CC3B",
      "title": "The Green Book (2026)",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-green-book-appraisal-and-evaluation-in-central-government/the-green-book-2026"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-3C67E080415E2677",
      "title": "Estimate the delivery system, not only the hands-on work",
      "url": "/collections/estimate-the-delivery-system-not-only-the-hands-on-work"
    }
  ]
}