Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0928

Pre-Parade

Pre-Parade
SystemsmediumSystems Theory
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Opposite of a pre-mortem (imagining failure). Assume the project is a huge success and a grand parade is held. Then ask: what disastrous side effects might this success bring? (e.g., servers crash, customer support overloaded, competitors become jealous).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Guard against the "disease of victory." Prepare not only for failure but also for system overload caused by excessive success.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Complementary to the pre-mortem: assume the project has achieved great success and a celebration parade is held, then ask "what disastrous side effects did the success bring?" The mechanism is a "success stress test" — people often prepare for failure but overlook system overload (servers, customer support, supply chain, competitive reactions) caused by excessive success.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    buildingthemind.comhttps://buildingthemind.com/thinking-in-bets-summaryZH · Explicit
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