Dark matter

Work no log can see

Process-mining tools reconstruct workflows from event logs. Work performed in email, spreadsheets, paper forms and shared drives emits no events, so it is structurally invisible to them, and it is the single largest source of surprise at HCM cutover. This inventory makes it countable and priced.

dark-matter steps

across 4 workflows

8,338

hands-on hours / yr

annualized at model volumes

high cutover risk

shadow or re-keyed

unqueryable systems

email, spreadsheet tracker, shared drive, paper form

Step	Lives in	Directorate	Hours / yr	Cutover risk
Cycle opened and performance plans distributed No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	900	High
Rating distribution reviewed for consistency No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	HR	825	High
Rating drafted, reviewed by second-level official Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Shared drive	HR	675	Medium
Award funding confirmed against available budget No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	B&A	638	High
Vendor training procured where a purchase is required Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	CON	600	Medium
Supervisor drafts and issues the employee plan Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Shared drive	HR	563	Medium
Employee self-assessment submitted Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	HR	450	Medium
Training completion checked against the plan No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	T&TD	413	High
Plan alignment to position description verified Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Shared drive	HR	338	Medium
Cost reconciled to the obligation and closed out No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	B&A	333	High
Mid-year progress review recorded No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	300	High
Funding availability confirmed for the fiscal year No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	B&A	300	High
Continued service agreement executed if required Manual data entry feeding a system. Becomes a data-quality defect vector in the new tenant.	Paper form	HR	267	High
Training office reviews for duplication and eligibility No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	T&TD	233	High
Attendance and completion recorded No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	T&TD	200	High
Employee submits a development request Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Paper form	T&TD	167	Medium
Suitability adjudication and interim determination Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Shared drive	F&S	135	Medium
Supervisor endorses against the performance plan Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	HR	133	Medium
Enrollment confirmed and calendar released Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	T&TD	133	Medium
Position description and performance plan issued Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Shared drive	HR	98	Medium
Background investigation package initiated Manual data entry feeding a system. Becomes a data-quality defect vector in the new tenant.	Paper form	F&S	90	High
Orientation scheduled and mandatory training assigned No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	T&TD	60	High
Day-one readiness confirmed across directorates No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	60	High
Contractor-supported role checked against the contract vehicle No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	CON	53	High
Exit interview offered and recorded No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	53	High
Contract or vehicle access closed for contingent staff No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	CON	47	High
Position funding confirmed against the salary line No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	B&A	45	High
Firm offer released, entry-on-duty date set Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	HR	45	Medium
Supervisor onboarding checklist issued and tracked No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	45	High
Training obligations and tuition payback checked No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Spreadsheet tracker	T&TD	41	High
Tentative offer extended and accepted Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	HR	38	Medium
Separation notice received and validated Lives outside a queryable system; completion state is invisible to reporting.	Email	HR	35	Medium
Clearance checklist issued to all directorates No system of record. This work will not appear in any migration inventory unless captured by hand.	Email	HR	29	High