GovernanceRehearsal is built on a simple structural principle.
In pressured systems:
- Decisions alter measurable conditions
- Conditions cross thresholds
- Actors respond to breached constraints
- Escalation compounds
- Recovery narrows over time
The engine formalises this structure.
Structured state
Each environment is defined by measurable state variables. These variables represent the condition of the system and evolve with every decision.
The engine does not simulate personalities.
It simulates state.
Role-based actors
Actors monitor specific variables and respond when defined thresholds are crossed.
Escalations are triggered by transition events, not by scripted narrative.
This creates realistic institutional pressure.
Propagating tension
System tension is calculated as a structured aggregation of:
- State degradation
- Active escalations
- External stressors
- Recovery attempts
As tension rises, optionality reduces and recovery becomes more difficult.
Deterministic core with bounded variation
The engine operates deterministically at its core.
Optional scenario variation is introduced through bounded, reproducible event injection.
This allows exposure to variability while maintaining auditability and control.
Auditability
Every simulation run produces a structured log of:
- Decisions taken
- State changes
- Threshold transitions
- Actor responses
- Escalation events
- Stabilisation or failure outcomes
This enables structured debrief and institutional review.