Singledriven

Singledriven is a term used in some professional and academic discussions to describe approaches, decisions, or systems that are organized around a single primary driver or objective. The term is not widely standardized, and its precise meaning can vary by field. In general, it denotes giving dominant priority to one factor when guiding design, policy, or operation, with other considerations treated as secondary.

In policy and management, a singledriven stance prioritizes one objective—such as safety, cost, or speed—and structures trade-offs to serve that objective. In software and product design, it can mean framing development around a single core user need or requirement, guiding backlog decisions and acceptance criteria.

In engineering, a single-driven configuration may refer to a system powered by a single propulsion source or control loop. In data science, it can describe optimization or evaluation focused on a single objective function. Across domains, the approach can yield clarity, faster delivery, and easier validation, but risks tunnel vision, reduced resilience, and neglected secondary goals.

Example: a startup adopts a singledriven product road map aimed solely at minimizing user onboarding time, and while onboarding improves, support for edge cases and accessibility may lag. Example: an automotive design prioritizes fuel efficiency as the singular driver, potentially limiting performance or reliability features.

See also: single-objective optimization, monotone decision making, focused design, trade-off analysis.