B.5.TC:4.1 - State the answer the work needs

Say what you want to explain, predict, construct or decide, and what would count as an answer. Specify the conditions that can alter that answer: for example, the initial state and time of a prediction, the allowed routes and quantity to minimize, or which intervention is contemplated.

Keep the account and its proposed use separately visible. Comparing a theory’s possible reach with a rival’s already implemented calculation is a comparison of unequal contributions. Either construct the relevant application of both or state which contribution is still unavailable. An unavailable application can be a reason to use another account now while retaining the first for development.

If the accounts answer different questions, identify their shared question, if any. For the remaining questions, compare their usefulness as complementary contributions. A newly expressible question can itself be a valuable result: explain what inquiry it opens and why that inquiry matters. B.5:4.4 connects this result to problem development.