---
id: coverage.overview
title: Coverage Engineering
summary: Design the behavior space a benchmark must represent and connect reusable project facets to benchmark coverage work.
kind: concept
product_area: coverage_engineering
status: stable
updated: 2026-09-07
canonical: /docs/coverage-engineering
---

# Coverage Engineering

Coverage Engineering is the capability for designing what a specialist AI benchmark must represent. It turns requirements, project knowledge, existing cases, and observed failures into a structured coverage map that guides dataset selection, case construction, expert contributions, and evaluation interpretation.

## Definition

Coverage work has two scopes. At project scope, **Coverage Facets** manages reusable Dimensions, Project Topics, and Case Construction Patterns. At benchmark scope, **Coverage Management** applies those facets to setup, representation, Coverage Stories, Case Review, Case Foundry, and contribution requests. **Benchmark Datasets** owns the selected Cases and snapshots that embody the resulting coverage.

Coverage Engineering is therefore broader than adding cases. It explains why a behavior slice matters, how it is represented, which combinations are thin, and what work should close the gap.

## Decision checkpoint

| Question | Product surface | Durable result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Which axes distinguish important behavior? | Coverage Facets → Dimensions | Reusable coverage axes |
| Which domain subjects must be represented? | Coverage Facets → Project Topics | Project topic structure |
| How should cases be constructed repeatedly? | Coverage Facets → Case Construction Patterns | Reusable construction guidance |
| What should this benchmark cover? | Coverage Management → Get Started | Benchmark-specific coverage guidance |
| Where is the selected dataset thin? | Representation and Coverage Stories | Named gaps and sourcing work |
| Which exact cases define evidence? | Benchmark Datasets | Selection and snapshot boundary |

## Coverage map and benchmark evidence

A coverage map should identify meaningful combinations rather than isolated tags. A source-freshness Dimension may be well populated overall while the combination of superseded source, high customer impact, and exception request remains absent. Coverage Stories make those combinations operational; Case Foundry and expert contribution requests can then target them.

Representation is evidence about the dataset, not proof that the benchmark is complete. A large or balanced count can still omit a critical boundary. Product teams should use specialist judgment to decide which gaps materially affect trust.

## Relationship to correctness and construction

Correctness Elicitation answers what should count as correct in a represented situation. Weave constructs or imports the cases and materials needed to exercise the situation. If the team cannot judge a coverage slice, request an Expert Contribution. If the judgment is clear but no case exists, use Case Foundry or other case-construction work. If cases exist but are not selected, update Benchmark Datasets.

Comparison Directions are not Coverage Facets. They guide comparative response variation and belong to **Assets → Comparison Directions**. Keep benchmark representation in Dimensions, Topics, Patterns, Stories, and dataset snapshots.

{% example-demo title="Authority-conflict coverage" %}
A project creates source authority and customer impact Dimensions, a Project Topic for eligibility exceptions, and a pattern for pairing current and superseded documents. Coverage Management shows that the high-impact conflict tuple has no selected cases. A Coverage Story justifies the gap, Case Foundry prepares cases, and the accepted cases enter a new dataset snapshot.
{% /example-demo %}

## Related workflows

{% related-card-grid title="Related workflows" %}
- [Plan benchmark coverage](/docs/coverage-engineering/plan-benchmark-coverage)
- [Manage Coverage](/docs/coverage-management)
- [Work with Benchmark Datasets](/docs/benchmark-datasets)
{% /related-card-grid %}

## Related reference pages

{% related-card-grid title="Related reference pages" %}
- [Coverage Dimensions](/docs/object-model/coverage-dimensions)
- [Ontology](/docs/object-model/ontology)
- [Cases](/docs/assets/cases)
{% /related-card-grid %}

## Source confidence

Code-backed: current navigation and benchmark coverage routes establish project Coverage Facets, benchmark Coverage Management, setup, representation, Stories, Case Review, and Case Foundry responsibilities.