overscrutiny
Overscrutiny is a term used to describe a situation in which a process, institution, or individual is subjected to an excessive level of examination, oversight, or measurement beyond what is reasonably necessary to achieve legitimate goals. It is typically discussed as a descriptive label rather than a formal standard.
The word appears as a portmanteau of over and scrutiny and has emerged in policy debates, media
In governance and regulation, overscrutiny can take the form of proliferating audits, repetitive reporting, and layered
Potential benefits include improved accountability, error detection, and risk management. However, excessive scrutiny can produce diminishing
Critics argue that overscrutiny mirrors systemic inefficiencies and erodes trust when investigations are repetitive or opaque.
Related concepts include oversight, regulatory burden, audit, and risk management.