Feedforward is a control mechanism in which a system anticipates disturbances and adjusts its output before those disturbances affect the controlled variable. It operates by measuring the input or an external signal that predicts a disturbance, then applying a compensating action in advance — rather than waiting for an error to appear (which is feedback). Feedforward requires a model of how disturbances map to outcomes, and its accuracy depends on how well that model captures the real causal chain. The persistence mechanism is algorithmic: once encoded in a controller, planner, or procedure, feedforward repeats its compensating action each cycle without needing observation of the result. [formal: feed-forward | substrate: behavior | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
feedforward
Feedforward is a control mechanism in which a system anticipates disturbances and adjusts its output before those disturbances affect the controlled variable. It operates by measuring the input or an external signal that predicts a disturb…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made control concept: a regulation mechanism that uses information about inputs or anticipated disturbances to adjust a system before an error occurs, rather than reacting to output deviations after the fact. Built to persist through engineering design, process control, and organizational management practice.
Names and aliases
- feedforwarden · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
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Feedforward is designed to serve risk-management: it anticipates potential disruptions and enables preemptive corrective action before deviations occur. Per Law 8d — its purpose is to further risk-management's operation by shifting from reactive to proactive control.
- cms9293jz002i7skq3m4d9hr1SERVES →
Feedforward mechanisms are designed and maintained for the sake of safety-management: they provide advance information about potential safety issues so that management can take preemptive action. Per Law 8d, the servant (feedforward) points at the master (safety-management).
- cmsbq7nfs01mw3vv33yss9ynvSERVES →
Feedforward serves safety-maintenance by providing predictive information that enables proactive maintenance: trend data, early warning indicators, and projected failure modes let maintenance act before degradation becomes a safety issue. By design, feedforward data feeds the maintenance decision loop.
Relations to this entry
- cmsbfwqov01333vv3rs7chlne← DERIVED_FROM
Safety-forecasting draws from feedforward control theory (cybernetics, 1940s) which predates and informed the concept of systematic safety forecasting. Which-came-first: feedforward as a concept is foundational and older; safety-forecasting as a practice came later, building on anticipatory control concepts.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 2, 2026, 6:29 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 932902440706627407f2595af298bc666f71aa9b56f96288bd35d81e1b4fc4c3