Shadow Mode
A governance mode where the system monitors and records actions but does not block any — used for observation, calibration, and building confidence before enforcement.
Shadow mode is the lowest enforcement level in progressive trust. In shadow mode, the governance gate evaluates all constraints and records traces, but does not actually block any actions. It operates as an observer, creating a record of what would have been blocked under active enforcement.
Shadow mode serves several purposes: - Calibration: organisations can see how their constraints would affect operations before enforcing them - Confidence building: stakeholders can verify that constraint definitions are correct before relying on them - Baseline measurement: organisations can measure their governance health before making changes - Risk assessment: the system reveals where violations would occur without disrupting operations
Shadow mode is temporary — it's a transition tool, not a permanent state. An organisation that stays in shadow mode indefinitely is accumulating governance debt.
How Constellation handles this
Constellation supports shadow mode for new constraint rollouts. Organisations can define constraints, observe their impact for a period, then activate enforcement once they're confident in the definitions.