Decision Velocity and the Compression of Detectability: Translation Half-Life in Institutional Governance

The faster decisions move, the harder drift is to see. Speed does not just accelerate decisions—it compresses the window to detect misalignment. This paper introduces Translation Half-Life: how quickly interpretive shifts become embedded before they can be corrected. As decision cycles accelerate, drift becomes harder to observe and easier to lock in. Velocity is therefore not neutral—it shapes whether alignment can be maintained at all. About the Coherence ProgrammeThe Coherence Programme studies why institutions drift despite appearing aligned. It shows that decisions are made not on intent itself, but on how intent is translated into criteria, metrics, and allocation rules. Using the Operating Spine, the programme traces how purpose becomes action across governance layers, making drift and coherence directly observable within decision systems. The research applies to public institutions, capital allocation, and AI-mediated environments, where the durability of decision rules determines long-term institutional reliability.Programme citation: Mertens, R. E. U. (2026). The Coherence Programme: A Conceptual Overview and Entry Point to the Research Programme. Resources: Coherence Programme OSF repository and https://thecoherenceprogramme.org Version 1.0: First public release (Preprint).Version 1.01: Terminology harmonisation and minor structural refinements to improve consistency across the Coherence Programme. No changes to the theoretical framework, constructs, or research design.Version 1.02: Minor conceptual clarifications, consistency improvements, reviewer-informed refinements, and editorial updates across the programme.