C.40:4.2 - Continue without losing the question or the material

For a selected contribution, examine variations against its requirements while retaining an intermediate result only for a stated useful continuation. A lower present score can coexist with that reason; retention does not make the variation the preferred option.

Before a receiving contribution is selected, examine a local change that is already intelligible: for example, what reversing a playable recording does, or what a complete time-ordered view exposes. A newly suggested use becomes a question to investigate, not evidence of demand or value. Stop if no continuation warrants its burden.

Preserve the actual permissions, confidentiality limits, means and participant capabilities relevant to the next use. A colleague who receives the recording or code may still lack the skill or right needed for the proposed continuation. Retaining material is different from funding further work or preserving an exercisable option.

When a single present winner is eliminating other worthwhile possibilities, section 4.12 develops the choice of useful differences, local comparison, renewed variation and actual use of the retained material. It also explains when changed observations require rebuilding that collection. A small sufficient set remains a valid result.