define-objective

Purpose

Formalize objectives, constraints, and tradeoff preferences before an optimization or selection decision.

Input contract

required: [decision_context, candidate_set, stakeholder_preferences]
optional: [hard_constraints, utility_scale, priority_weights]
constraints: [objectives are measurable or operationalized; tradeoffs and constraint direction are explicit]

Procedure

1. Elicit the desired outcome, affected scope, stakeholders, and time horizon.
2. Separate objectives from constraints and preferences, then define each objective's direction and measurement.
3. Record conflicts, permissible tradeoffs, and any weights or lexicographic priorities with their rationale.
4. Emit an objective schema suitable for comparison, optimization, and later audit.

Output contract

produces: [objective_schema, constraint_schema, tradeoff_policy, unresolved_preferences]
delta_fields: [findings, assumption_updates, uncertainties, decisions, open_questions]