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Triad

Plain-Language Definition

The triad is the three-folder structure at the heart of every aDNA project: what/ (what the project knows), how/ (how the project works), and who/ (who is involved). Every piece of project knowledge belongs in exactly one of these three folders.

Technical Definition

The what/how/who directory ontology that organizes all aDNA content. The triad is the universal classifier — any project artifact is sorted by asking: “Is this about WHAT we know, HOW we work, or WHO is involved?” The ontology is deliberately minimal; three categories prevent the sorting ambiguity that arises from finer-grained taxonomies. (aDNA Standard §3.1)

Usage Examples

  • In this vault (aDNA.aDNA/), the triad is visible at the project root: what/ holds concepts and glossary entries, how/ holds campaigns and sessions, who/ holds governance and community docs.
  • The “question test” — asking which of the three questions a piece of content answers — is the canonical classification method.

See Also