Name the hidden tax
Integration drag is the invisible tax on velocity and uptime. Define it in concrete terms—time to integrate, failure rates, rework, downtime—so you can measure and eliminate it. Vague complaints don’t get funded; metrics do.
Model drag vs. spend
Use parametric models to compare the cost of reducing drag against adding yet another tool. Often simplifying integrations and contracts yields more resilience per dollar than piling on platforms.
Enforce through contracts
Tie drag metrics back to procurement and integration contracts. Require observability signals, adherence to canonical interfaces, and penalties for excessive rework. Contracts should lower drag, not cement it.
sys3(a)i POV: We approach critical systems work by stress-testing architectures, integrating observability and governance from day one, and designing sovereign or edge footprints where independence and continuity matter most.