This is a Lexicon entry: the mechanism, when it shows up, and the countermeasure. The full correction, with real-world cases and the audit prompt, hasn't been written yet.
Definition
The tendency to solve problems by adding elements rather than removing them, even when subtraction would be more effective. When asked to improve something, people overwhelmingly think "what can I add?" rather than "what can I take away?"
When it shows up
When improving a product, plan or space; when solving problems under time pressure; when asked "what would make this better?".
Failure mode
Adding features, steps or complexity when removal would be faster and cheaper. Documents that grow longer instead of clearer. Meetings that gain agenda items but never lose them.
Countermeasure
Explicitly ask the subtraction question first: "What could I remove?" before asking "What could I add?" Set a rule: justify every addition.
Related traps
Also connected in the map2 more, locked
Credit & first seen
DiscoveredAdams, J. et al. (2021).People systematically overlook subtractive changes.Nature 592, 258-261 source ↗
Also revealed
Entry #54 of 631 in The Lexicon · see the full Lexicon