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Systems advanced 50 min

System Audit

Evaluate how a set of properties forms a coherent system.

Objectives

  • Map relationships between properties
  • Identify gaps in the hermeneutic circle
  • Propose structural improvements
  • Validate against Subtractive Triad

Beads Tasks

Create these tasks in Beads before starting. You learn Beads by using Beads.

bd create "Praxis: System audit of [system/organization]" --type=research--labels=learn,systems
bd create "Map all properties and their relationships" --type=task--labels=learn
bd create "Trace hermeneutic circle—does each serve the whole?" --type=task--labels=learn
bd create "Identify gaps where circle breaks" --type=task--labels=learn
bd create "Apply Subtractive Triad to each property" --type=task--labels=learn
bd create "Propose structural improvements with rationale" --type=task--labels=learn

Claude Code Prompt

Copy this prompt into Claude Code to build YOUR own version:

## Setup: Track this exercise with Beads

```bash
bd create "Praxis: System audit of [system/organization]" --type=research --labels=learn,systems
bd create "Map all properties and their relationships" --type=task --labels=learn
bd create "Trace hermeneutic circle—does each serve the whole?" --type=task --labels=learn
bd create "Identify gaps where circle breaks" --type=task --labels=learn
bd create "Apply Subtractive Triad to each property" --type=task --labels=learn
bd create "Propose structural improvements with rationale" --type=task --labels=learn
```

---

Help me evaluate MY system as a coherent whole.

I'm auditing [SYSTEM_OR_ORGANIZATION] to see if it forms a true hermeneutic circle. Guide me through:

1. **Map all properties/components**:
   List every part of my system:
   | Property | Purpose | Inputs | Outputs |
   |----------|---------|--------|---------|

2. **Draw the relationships**:
   Create a diagram showing how parts relate:
   - What does each part depend on?
   - What depends on each part?
   - Where does value flow?

3. **Trace the hermeneutic circle**:
   Does the system form a complete circle?
   - Philosophy → defines criteria for →
   - Research → validates →
   - Practice → applies to →
   - Services → tests and evolves →
   - Philosophy (back to start)

   Where does MY circle break?

4. **Apply Subtractive Triad to each property**:
   For each component:
   - **DRY**: Is this duplicated elsewhere in the system?
   - **Rams**: Does this earn its existence?
   - **Heidegger**: Does this serve the whole?

5. **Identify gaps and redundancies**:
   - What's missing from the circle?
   - What exists but doesn't serve the whole?
   - What could be merged or removed?

6. **Propose improvements**:
   | Issue | Type | Proposed Fix | Rationale |
   |-------|------|--------------|-----------|

7. **Write MY system philosophy**:
   - How do parts relate to whole in my system?
   - What makes my system coherent (or not)?

System to audit: [YOUR_SYSTEM - packages, services, products, teams, etc.]

Subtractive Triad Audit

Review the code below and identify opportunities for improvement at each level of the Subtractive Triad. Look for duplication (DRY), excess complexity (Rams), and disconnection from the larger system (Heidegger).

Code to Audit
function Button({ text, onClick, disabled, loading }) {
  if (loading) {
    return <button disabled>Loading...</button>;
  }
  if (disabled) {
    return <button disabled>{text}</button>;
  }
  return <button onClick={onClick}>{text}</button>;
}

function SubmitButton({ onClick }) {
  return <button onClick={onClick}>Submit</button>;
}

function CancelButton({ onClick }) {
  return <button onClick={onClick}>Cancel</button>;
}
Implementation
Unify
Have I built this before?

Look for duplication - repeated logic, similar patterns, or redundant code.

Artifact
Remove
Does this earn its existence?

Identify excess - unnecessary complexity, unused features, or decorative elements.

System
Reconnect
Does this serve the whole?

Find disconnection - components that work in isolation but not as a coherent system.

Review the lesson