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Observation Framework

Before the story becomes a decision

Observation is the quiet discipline of seeing what is actually present before a system explains it. This framework separates signal from interpretation, records what was not observed, and gives both human and AI readers a way to notice when confidence has outrun evidence.

Once the observation is trustworthy enough to work with, continue to the Reasoning Framework.

Purpose

This framework establishes a disciplined boundary between what is observed and what is concluded. It supports reproducible review without treating a source, sensor, conversation, or model output as inherently authoritative.

Observation record

An observation record should state the observation identifier, source class, subject, collection or receipt time, time basis, method, scope, sensitivity, integrity state, transformations, reviewer, and known limitations. Where a field is unavailable, the record should say unknown, unavailable, or not applicable rather than imply completeness.

Normative clauses

  • CONAN3-R001: An observation SHALL identify source, subject, time, method, scope, sensitivity, integrity state, and limitations.
  • CONAN3-R002: Observation SHALL remain distinct from interpretation, inference, forecast, recommendation, and action.
  • CONAN3-R003: Missing, contradictory, unavailable, manipulated, or stale observations SHALL remain visible and SHALL bound dependent conclusions.
  • CONAN3-R004: Collection SHALL be lawful, proportionate, purpose-limited, and minimised, with access and retention controls.
  • CONAN3-R005: An observation record SHALL preserve transformations, corrections, dissent, and the evidence needed for independent review.
  • CONAN3-R006: Observation review SHALL identify the collection purpose, authority, lawful basis, affected interests, retention, and access boundary.
  • CONAN3-R007: Derived observations SHALL retain input identifiers, transformation steps, uncertainty, and the conditions under which the derivation must be revisited.
  • CONAN3-R008: Material observations SHALL identify competing sources, sampling limits, clock basis, and the reviewer responsible for disposition.
  • CONAN3-R009: Observation gaps SHALL reduce the scope of any dependent conclusion and SHALL trigger a named review or pause condition.
  • CONAN3-R010: This framework SHALL NOT collect live data, conduct surveillance, or create authority, consent, or permission.

Review method

Reviewers should compare the record with its source, check whether the method could produce the claimed precision, identify selection and timing effects, and record any competing observation. Derived values should retain the inputs and transformation so that an independent reviewer can reproduce or challenge them. A source may be credible for one purpose and unsuitable for another; source reputation does not remove the need for scope and integrity assessment.

Resolution states

An observation may be accepted for a bounded purpose, held as provisional, disputed, rejected as unreliable, or superseded. Each state should include the reason, reviewer, effective time, and any dependent conclusion that must be revisited. Corrections append to the record and do not erase the earlier observation.

Failure handling

Sensor disagreement, clock uncertainty, sampling bias, source compromise, and observation gaps require explicit uncertainty and review triggers. If the observation is material and cannot be resolved, downstream reasoning should use the narrowest defensible claim or pause. Observation does not create authority, consent, or permission.

This Draft authorises no live collection, surveillance, external contact, or sensor deployment.

Operating model and interpretation cases

Observation review separates receipt from interpretation and records what was seen, how it was obtained, what was transformed, and what remains unknown. Reviewers test source integrity, method precision, sampling, clock basis, sensitivity, lawful purpose, access, retention, and competing observations. Derived observations remain linked to their inputs and expire when a premise changes.

  • Conforming: Source, method, time, scope, integrity, transformation, limitation, and review are recorded.
  • Prohibited: An observation is treated as an instruction or permission.
  • Boundary: A material gap narrows the conclusion rather than being filled by inference.
  • Failure: Contradictory or manipulated observations trigger preservation and pause.
  • Loophole: Selective collection hides a material alternative or affected person.
  • Misuse: Observation records are reused for unrelated surveillance or identity disclosure.
  • Care-control: Collection supports safety while minimising intrusion and preserving agency.

Design evidence

Observation review should reconcile source integrity, method, time basis, sampling, transformations, sensitivity, limitations, correction history, and dependent conclusions. A material gap or contradiction should reduce the claim or pause it rather than be hidden by a summary.