Kernprincipes

Kernprincipes is a Dutch term that translates to "core principles" in English. It refers to a small set of fundamental rules, values, or standards that guide the behavior, decisions, and design of a system, organization, policy, or theory. Core principles are meant to remain relatively stable over time and to provide coherence across different contexts and stakeholders.

They are used across sectors: in governance, corporate strategy, ethics, education, and product design. Examples include integrity, accountability, transparency, and fairness in governance; simplicity, modularity, and robustness in software and product development; learner-centeredness and evidence-based practice in education.

Identification and maintenance: core principles are typically identified through stakeholder input, mission statements, normative frameworks, and risk analysis. They are expressed as concise statements or axioms that can be tested by actions and outcomes. Regular review ensures relevance as contexts evolve.

Characteristics: enduring yet applicable, prescriptive but adaptable, domain-specific while sharing common patterns such as clarity, measurability, and alignment with the overall mission. They serve as reference points for decision-making and evaluation.

Criticism and limitations: the term can be vague or culturally contingent, leading to disagreements about what should count as a core principle. Over-reliance on a fixed set may hinder experimentation or adaptation, requiring periodic revision and contextualization.

See also: core values, guiding principles, design principles, normative ethics.