  High fidelity models, which support accurate device characterization and
correctly account for environmental effects, are crucial to the engineering of
scalable quantum technologies. As it ensures positivity of the density matrix,
one preferred model for open systems describes the dynamics with a master
equation in Lindblad form. The Linblad operators are rarely derived from first
principles, resulting in dynamical models which miss those additional terms
that must generally be added to bring the master equation into Lindblad form,
together with concomitant other terms that must be assimilated into an
effective Hamiltonian. In first principles derivations such additional terms
are often cancelled (countered), frequently in an ad hoc manner. In the case of
a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) coupled to an Ohmic bath,
the resulting master equation implies the environment has a significant impact
on the system's energy. We discuss the prospect of keeping or cancelling this
impact; and note that, for the SQUID, measuring the magnetic susceptibility
under control of the capacitive coupling strength and the externally applied
flux, results in experimentally measurable differences between models. If this
is not done correctly, device characterization will be prone to systemic
errors.
