Definitionv1
Load-bearing assumption: an assumption that, if false, would
Load-bearing assumption: an assumption that, if false, would cause a plan or decision to fail catastrophically, distinguished by both high importance and high vulnerability to being wrong
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely establishes 'load-bearing assumption' by identifying its defining characteristics: catastrophic failure if false, combined with both high importance and high vulnerability. It distinguishes this from other types of assumptions by specifying the critical threshold that makes an assumption 'load-bearing.' The definition uses the curriculum's framework of importance and vulnerability to create a precise boundary that differentiates it from safe assumptions and identifies the specific class of assumptions that require immediate attention.