Structure Is Physics: Why Narratives Don’t Change Outcomes

The Core Principle

The Structural Lock-In Diagnostic is not a scoring rubric to optimize. It is a tool to reveal underlying physics.

The Three Physics Concepts

Data Gravity

Data creates gravitational pull. The more data accumulated, the harder to escape the orbit. Customers, integrations, and workflows all get pulled toward the center of mass.

Escape Velocity

Switching requires enough energy to overcome gravitational pull. Below threshold, customers fall back. Above it, they can leave. Structure determines where the threshold sits.

Orbital Mechanics

Customers orbit at different distances. Closer orbits mean tighter lock-in. Over time, good structure pulls customers into closer orbits. Poor structure lets them drift away.

The Physics Rules

1. Structure constrains outcomes. You cannot execute your way out of bad physics.
2. Gravity compounds over time. Strong structure gets stronger; weak gets weaker.
3. Escape velocity is measurable. Switching cost in months tells you the physics.

Structure × Time = Outcome Space

The Fundamental Truth

Narratives don’t change physics. Pitches don’t change physics.

Only structural changes change physics. And structural changes take years, not quarters.

The Bottom Line

Structure is not strategy. Structure is physics.

The five questions measure the physics. The score reveals the constraints.

The investor who recognizes structural reality—and invests accordingly—will outperform. The investor who believes narratives over physics will destroy capital.

Floor, Ceiling, or Pass. There is no middle.

This is part of a comprehensive analysis. Read the full analysis on The Business Engineer.