PD016
Classify process documentation by sensitivity and apply access controls only to genuinely sensitive components, keeping everything else openly accessible.
CyberTRIZ analysis · Process contradiction PD016 · one of 8,235 worked contradictions published by CyberTRIZ.AI
Regulations
Greater Process Transparency vs. Protection of Competitive Information
Business Context. Sharing detailed process maps across the organization improves collaboration and onboarding, but some processes contain competitively sensitive logic, such as pricing rules or proprietary risk models, that should not circulate freely.
Process TRIZ Resolution. Rather than restricting all process documentation to protect the sensitive minority, organizations should classify processes by sensitivity and apply access controls only to the specific components that require protection.
Applicable TRIZ Principles
Principle 3 (Local Quality) applies different access rules to different process components based on sensitivity.
Principle 7 (Nested Doll) hides sensitive sub-process detail inside a broadly shared summary view.
Principle 24 (Intermediary) uses an access-control layer to mediate who can view sensitive process logic.
Expected Outcome
Broad transparency where safe
Protected competitive information
Maintained collaboration
Clear access accountability
Decision Indicators
Entire process libraries are locked down due to a small sensitive subset.
Employees cannot access documentation needed for their daily work.
Sensitive process logic circulates without appropriate controls.
Access requests to documentation are frequently delayed.
No formal classification scheme exists for process sensitivity.
If several of these indicators are present, the contradiction is likely active and the Process TRIZ resolution above should be evaluated.