Mental Models & Famous Laws

A latticework for clearer thinking

Novice

Mastery0%

Novice

Concept 09 of 21

framework

Margin of safety

Don't build a bridge that holds exactly the weight you expect. Build one that holds twice.

Definition

A buffer built into a plan or estimate that absorbs error, surprise, or worst-case conditions.

Step 1

In one or two sentences, what do you think this concept means? Wrong is fine; the small struggle is what makes the answer stick.