operandoism

Operandoism is a term used in some discussions of science, philosophy of science, and systems thinking to describe a stance that centers knowledge and evaluation on the operation of a system under real or realistic working conditions. The word derives from operando, Latin for “while operating,” and is used in casual and scholarly contexts to denote approaches that emphasize systems’ performance and behavior as they actually function, rather than solely relying on abstract models or laboratory conditions.

In its methodological sense, operandoism aligns with the idea that understanding a process is best achieved by observing and testing it in operation. This contrasts with approaches that rely primarily on theoretical derivation or controlled-experiment frameworks. The term is sometimes linked to, but distinct from, operationalism, which defines concepts in terms of the operations used to measure them; operandoism adds a focus on the dynamic, real-world state of the system during those operations. In fields such as chemistry, operando analysis (for example, operando spectroscopy) explicitly studies materials under active conditions to reveal actual mechanisms.

Usage and reception of operandoism remain limited and not widely standardized. Critics argue that the emphasis on real-world operation can complicate interpretation, potentially downplaying valuable theoretical or controlled-experiment insights. Proponents contend that incorporating operando perspectives improves relevance for engineering, technology development, and empirical science by aligning claims with observed performance.

See also: operationalism, operando spectroscopy, methodology, systems engineering.