PSD.9:4.2 - Distinguish ends, means, and repeated consequences

Ask “Why does this matter here?” to identify the consequence sought. Ask “How might it be achieved?” to expose possible means. “Provide training” may be one means; reliable performance in representative later Work may be the relevant end. The distinction is local to the question: a process experience can itself be valued when participants actually care about it.

Organize objectives only as far as the structure helps. For a small decision, a few attributed statements may be enough. A hierarchy or means–ends map is useful when several levels or overlaps would otherwise be lost.

Test apparent duplicates through their meaning and consequence path. Avoid counting one consequence twice under different names. But statistical correlation alone is not duplication: service loss and distribution of that loss can remain different values even when their observed measures covary. Conversely, statistical independence does not prove that a preference model may add the values.

Retain an objective only if it represents a material value, protected condition, or decision-changing distinction. When simplifying, state the lost distinction and check that it cannot reverse the intended comparison. Do not delete a concern merely because it is difficult to measure.