The 85% Rule - Pipeline Equilibrium

Years ago, some folks inside of IBM (myself included) argued that pipeline equilibrium is achieved when 85% of our resources (people) are contracted to projects.

The 15% balance represented an investment in the future health of the organization:

• Concept evaluation
• Functional excellence
• Emergency management of "hot spots"
  

I don't think we practice the 85% rule. Did someone create a new rule and forget to tell me?