Methodology · WikiSure
Alignment Score
How WikiSure scores definition alignment: dimensions, formula, interpretation, and worked examples.
What it measures
The Alignment Score is a 0–100 measure of how closely a candidate definition matches the canonical version of the same term within a governed namespace. It is not a similarity score over text; it is a governance score over five explicit dimensions.
Dimensions
- Concept overlap (30 pts) — does the candidate cover the same concept as the canonical version, or a related-but-different one?
- Scope match (25 pts) — are the inclusions and exclusions equivalent?
- Owner attribution (15 pts) — does the candidate carry an accountable owner?
- Source authority (15 pts) — is the candidate anchored to a citable authority (regulator, standard body, internal policy)?
- Versioned traceability (15 pts) — can the candidate be traced to a prior approved version?
Interpretation bands
- 90–100 Aligned — safe to promote as a candidate canonical version.
- 70–89 Substantially aligned — review by a Steward; small refinements likely required.
- 50–69 Partially aligned — review by an Approver; scope or owner issues.
- 0–49 Drifted — treat as a different concept; do not propagate.
Worked example
Candidate definition of "Material Damage" extracted from a regional claims-handling guideline scores 92/100 against the group canonical version: full concept overlap (30), full scope match (25), owner present (15), anchored to a regulator (15), prior version referenced but not linked (7). Outcome: promote to candidate canonical with a one-line revision to add the prior-version link.