Formalism is the usage of "more exacting" measures. When, one is examining any thing, like a problem, and seeking an greater understanding. As stated, famously by De Marco, "one cannot control nor predict what he cannot measure....". Those "more precise" measurements most often arise in the form of numbers and mathematics. The, general belief be that "numbers do not lie"; however "people do". And, they do. When, the use and present "the numbers". But when, one be seraching for a clear description. The most clarity is found among a crisp and clear categorization based upon "the numbers". Hard, fixed measurements who are examined under the scrutiny of formal mathematics.