> [!tldr] Principles are strategic, best practices are tactics executing the strategy.
Because of my shift in thinking when considering [[Values, Principles, and Methods|values vs principles]] I decided [[Principles are Verbs]]... but then started to make a lists of "principles" and "best practices" of a [[PDW|Data Journal]] and realized I didn't have a clean separation of the terms.
From a conversation with Gemini:
| **Feature** | **Principles (Verbs)** | **Best Practices** |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Scope** | Broad and strategic. | Specific and tactical. |
| **Flexibility** | High. You must always follow them, but the execution varies. | Lower. They are standard procedures until a better one is found. |
| **Failure Mode** | Violating a principle usually leads to a systemic mess. | Ignoring a best practice might just be a trade-off for speed. |
| **Example** | "Automate Repetitive Tasks." | "Write a Bash script for deployments." |
That slots Best Practices in here:
```ascii-art
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ values principles *best practices* methods │
│ | | | | │
│ ◄───────────────────────────────────────────────► │
│ short & abstract long & concrete │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
I think these terms are all highly arguable. My particular interpretation is only one valid interpretation, IMO.
****
# More
## Source
- chat with Gemini