Source classification — descriptive scope
Source classification in this framework is an exercise in neutral labeling and parameter description. The process assigns a categorical label to each income origin and appends a small set of descriptive attributes: cadence (for example, regular, intermittent, episodic), a provisional proportional band that situates the source relative to other nodes, and qualifiers that note conditional dependencies or external constraints. Classification is intended to be repeatable: different observers applying the same attribute rubric should arrive at comparable labels for a given source. The exercise is structural rather than evaluative. It does not seek to rank sources by desirability, nor to estimate future amounts. Instead, classification defines the axes and terms used elsewhere—balance fields, corridors, and matrices—so that subsequent descriptive work is coherent across documents. Practically, classification templates include discrete columns for id, label, cadence, typical band descriptor, and short annotation. When documenting a set of sources, the recommended practice is to include a provenance note that clarifies the information used to assign labels, thereby ensuring transparent traceability of descriptive decisions.