Bounded Rationality

Under finite tool, context, and time budgets, stop at the first option that meets a predeclared aspiration level. Optimize only when the good-to-best gap is worth the remaining budget.

When to Use

• Search or option comparison has no natural endpoint and could consume the turn budget.
• Multiple options would clear the requirement and further comparison has diminishing returns.
• The decision is reversible or low-stakes relative to more search.
• You are gathering context beyond what the decision needs to ship.

When NOT to Use

• Irreversible or high-stakes choices (data loss, security, migrations, public commitments) where the good-to-best gap is material.
• Correctness gates: tests, security checks, and "did the fix work?" need the right answer, not a sufficient-looking one.
• One cheap lookup would settle the fact — do it; do not satisfice past it.
• The aspiration level cannot be stated — clarify the requirement first.

Procedure