compartmentalize

Compartmentalize is a verb meaning to divide something into separate, distinct compartments or categories, often to limit interactions between parts or to organize information more manageably.

In psychology, compartmentalization is a defense mechanism in which a person isolates incompatible thoughts, emotions, or impulses to avoid cognitive dissonance or anxiety. It can be adaptive in the short term but may contribute to problematic behavior if used to avoid addressing underlying issues.

In the sciences and technology, compartmentalization has specific meanings: in biology, cells and organs are organized into compartments with distinct environments; in pharmacology and physiology, compartmental models describe how substances distribute within a body; in computing and information security, compartmentalization restricts access to data and code to prevent cascading failures or breaches.

In organizations and project management, compartmentalization can improve efficiency and risk management by isolating functions and information. Critics argue that excessive silos hamper cooperation, knowledge sharing, and adaptability, so many approaches emphasize defined interfaces, cross-training, and integrated workflows.

Related terms include segmentation, modularization, and boundary management.