Principlev1
Design decision rules with 3-5 criteria rather than complex
Design decision rules with 3-5 criteria rather than complex multi-variable models, as simple heuristics are more robust across variable conditions.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Simple decision rules using less information can outperform (simple rules can outperform complex models) and Working Memory Capacity Limit (working memory limits). The principle is prescriptive: HOW to design decision agents. It's actionable (specifies a range: 3-5 criteria), general (applies to any decision agent design), and explains why simple beats complex (robustness vs overfitting).
Source Lessons
L-0416
Decision agents
Agents for recurring decision types like buy-versus-build or accept-versus-decline.
L-0409
Agent reliability matters more than agent sophistication
A simple agent that fires consistently beats a complex agent that fires intermittently.
L-0533
Delegation to rules
A rule is a pre-committed decision that prevents you from having to re-decide the same thing every time.