Culture Architecture
Intention–Effect Gap
DE: Absicht-Wirkung-Lücke
The distance between what a design intended and what people actually experience.
The intention–effect gap is the distance between what a structure, process or leadership decision intended and what people actually experience once it is in place.
Context
Intention lives with the designer; effect emerges in other people. The gap is not a sign of bad intent — it is information about the system, and the starting point for deciding again.
Related terms