The Allocation Algorithm

Two-Tier Priority System

Resources allocate through a priority structure that balances mutual relationships with support for emerging partnerships.

Tier 1: Mutual Recognition Priority

Entities with mutual recognition receive first priority.

Allocation Factors:

  • Strength of mutual recognition

  • Declared resource needs

  • Compatible resource specifications (time, location, type)

Why First Priority? Mutual recognition indicates bidirectional contribution and established coordination relationships. These partnerships receive priority for stable resource flows.


Tier 2: Unilateral Recognition

Remaining capacity flows to entities you recognize, even without mutual recognition.

Purpose:

  • Support for new partners building recognition networks

  • Enable mission-aligned resource flow

  • Maintain incentives for genuine contribution

Example: Foundation recognizes emerging organization at 15%, but emerging organization doesn't yet recognize foundation (no established relationship). Remaining foundation capacity after Tier 1 allocations flows to emerging organization proportional to recognition.


Allocation Process

Step 1: Filter Compatible Resources

Match resource specifications:

  • Time windows overlap

  • Geographic constraints satisfied

  • Resource types compatible

Only compatible resources participate in allocation calculation.

Step 2: Calculate Mutual Recognition

For each provider-recipient pair:

Step 3: Determine Proportional Shares

Tier 1 Calculation:

Each recipient's share is proportional to their mutual recognition relative to all recipients.

Tier 2 Calculation:

Unilateral recognition determines share among recipients without mutual recognition.

Step 4: Calculate Raw Allocation

Step 5: Cap at Declared Need

Key Property: No entity receives more than they declare they need. This prevents accumulation and ensures resources flow to actual requirements.


Dynamic Updates

The system continuously adapts to changing conditions:

Need Updates

After each allocation round:

As allocations are received, remaining needs decrease. System recalculates optimal allocation for updated need state.

Oscillation Prevention

Adaptive damping prevents allocation oscillation:

Damping factor adjusts based on allocation stability, preventing oscillation while maintaining responsiveness.

Independent Resource Tracking

Each resource type tracks independently:

  • Funding needs separate from expertise needs

  • Time commitments independent of facility access

  • System optimizes across all resource types simultaneously


Convergence Properties

Speed

System converges to stable equilibrium in 5-10 calculation rounds.

Each round takes 100-200ms, meaning full convergence in 1-2 seconds after network state change.

Stability

Once converged, allocations remain stable unless:

  • Network state changes (new needs, capacity, or recognition)

  • Resource specifications updated

  • Participants join or leave

Optimality

At equilibrium:

  • All needs met if sufficient capacity exists

  • Resources distributed proportional to mutual recognition

  • No entity receives beyond declared needs

  • Tier 1 allocations satisfied before Tier 2


Example Calculation

Network State

Provider Foundation (P):

  • Available capacity: $1,000,000

Recipients:

  • Organization A: Declared need $400K

  • Organization B: Declared need $600K

  • Organization C: Declared need $800K

Mutual Recognition (P's perspective):

  • P recognizes A at 40%, A recognizes P at 30% → MR = 30%

  • P recognizes B at 35%, B recognizes P at 50% → MR = 35%

  • P recognizes C at 25%, C recognizes P at 20% → MR = 20%

Total Mutual Recognition: 30% + 35% + 20% = 85%

Tier 1 Allocation

Organization A Share:

Organization B Share:

Organization C Share:

Result:

  • A receives: $353,000 (remaining need: $47,000)

  • B receives: $412,000 (remaining need: $188,000)

  • C receives: $235,000 (remaining need: $565,000)

  • Total allocated: $1,000,000

All capacity deployed. Allocations strictly proportional to mutual recognition. Each allocation capped at declared need.


Key Properties

Need Declaration Incentives: Allocation capping creates incentives for honest need reporting. Over-reporting doesn't increase allocation (capped at need, non-accumulation property applies), under-reporting reduces allocation. The 100% recognition budget constraint creates self-correcting dynamics for ongoing participants. Protocol v6 (draft) adds satisfaction-based learning that automatically resolves provider non-delivery.

Proportional Fairness: Allocations strictly proportional to mutual recognition strength. No arbitrary prioritization.

Non-Accumulative: Cannot receive resources beyond declared needs. Prevents hoarding and ensures efficient flow to actual requirements.

Real-Time Adaptive: System recalculates automatically as any network parameter changes. Maintains continuous optimization.

Next: Use cases →

Last updated