Decision Continuity Engineering: A Framework for Preserving Decision Rationale Across Time, Authority Transitions, and Multi-Agent Systems

Volume I — Origin Layer. Introduces the DCE framework and establishes the foundational rationale for preserving decision continuity. We introduce Decision Continuity Engineering (DCE), a novel framework for preserving decision rationale and justificatory logic across temporal boundaries, authority transitions, and multi-agent systems. Unlike existing diagnostic approaches that identify when decision continuity breaks, DCE provides an engineering methodology for preventing such breaks through structured preservation mechanisms called Decision Capsules. Our framework addresses the critical problem of decision drift in complex systems where decisions must maintain coherence across changing contexts, personnel transitions, and platform migrations. We present the theoretical foundations of DCE, introduce the Decision Capsule methodology, and demonstrate its application to cross-agent decision preservation scenarios. This work establishes the first systematic engineering approach to decision continuity, with applications spanning organizational memory systems, AI governance, and institutional knowledge preservation. Related Papers Paper 2 — DCE: Theoretical Foundations (Volume II)