Overprovisioning

Overprovisioning is a practice in computer storage design: beyond the space you can use, there’s a little extra. That extra — the overprovisioning — creates flexibility, improves performance, and makes repairs possible.

At first glance, it can feel like sleight of hand. If the device has 214 units, why does the label say 200?

But it isn’t deception. It’s design, pragmatism — even a bit of generosity.

The hidden extra is what allows the visible portion to thrive.

We’re no different; the margin we preserve is often what keeps everything running.