Context: Arises after paper processes are replaced by heavy systems. While formally digitized, the constraint shifts—from manual transcription to slow modeling & validation cycles.
Why it matters: Extends time-to-change, creates opportunity cost, deepens vendor lock, reduces organizational learning velocity.
Typical signals:
- Minor recipe adjustments need external specialists.
- Validation cost per change remains high.
- Teams bypass official workflows (shadow processes).
Distinction: Not a capacity bottleneck (people/machines) but a structural, system-induced latency.
Resolution levers:
- Modularize logic domains.
- Preserve Word-native authoring (low cognitive friction).
- Delta validation instead of full reset.
- Return ownership to the process domain.
Further reading: