Past Investment vs Future Value
Lock non-negotiable international standards such as ISPS into the global core layer and confine local variation to configuration within that boundary.
CyberTRIZ analysis · CognitiveBias contradiction E003 · one of 8,235 worked contradictions published by CyberTRIZ.AI
Regulations
Business Context
Organizations frequently continue funding projects because significant financial or organizational resources have already been invested, even when future benefits no longer justify continued commitment.
CognitiveTRIZ Resolution
Evaluate initiatives according to expected future value rather than historical investment and establish predefined exit criteria.
Recommended Principles
Principle 18 -Structured Evaluation
Principle 20 -Continuous Feedback
Principle 21 -Decision Metrics
Expected Outcome
Better capital allocation
Reduced sunk-cost effects
Improved portfolio management
Stronger strategic flexibility
Decision Indicators
Early indicators that past investment may be outweighing future value include:
Projects continue despite declining expected benefits.
Previous expenditures are frequently cited as justification for continued funding.
Exit decisions are repeatedly postponed.
Portfolio reviews focus on historical investment rather than future returns.
Resource allocation remains unchanged despite deteriorating business cases.
Recognizing these indicators helps organizations allocate resources according to future value instead of sunk costs.