---
title: "A Fix Is Not Finished Until Someone Sees It Work"
canonical: https://dxdev.com/blog/2026-02-27_fix-needs-observed-result/
datePublished: 2026-02-27
---
# A Fix Is Not Finished Until Someone Sees It Work

An edited file can look convincing while the real behavior is unchanged.

A fix is marked complete, but the person who reported the problem still sees the old behavior. The change exists. The result has not yet been observed where it matters.

## The practical check

Make observed behavior part of the definition of done.

## Where AI fits

AI can turn a claimed fix into a short set of visible checks, including the expected result and what remains uncertain until someone looks.\n
## The human decision

People perform or approve the real-world check before closing the work.

## The lesson

A fix earns confidence when someone observes the intended behavior, not when a change merely exists.

The Build Log companion records visible checks of the reported behavior before the work is closed.