Signal Radar (PULSE Framework)
Detect, classify, and score macro-market signals before competitors act. Surfaces technology shifts, regulatory changes, buyer behavior evolution, and ecosystem dynamics.
When to Use
- Quarterly strategic planning
- Pre-launch market assessment
- Competitive threat monitoring
- New market entry evaluation
- Board-level market briefings
What You'll Need
Critical inputs (ask if not provided):
- Industry/market to monitor
- Product category or domain
- Known competitors (top 3-5)
Nice-to-have:
- Recent analyst reports or news
- Internal customer feedback themes
- Current strategic priorities
Process
Step 1: Signal Collection
Classify every market signal into 5 vectors:
| Vector |
What It Tracks |
Examples |
| T-Signals (Technology) |
New protocols, platforms, standards, AI capabilities |
"New foundation model released", "New API standard adopted" |
| R-Signals (Regulatory) |
Compliance mandates, policy changes, industry standards |
"GDPR enforcement update", "AI regulation passed" |
| B-Signals (Buyer behavior) |
Purchasing patterns, channel preferences, budget shifts |
"Buyers demanding self-serve trials", "CFO approval now required" |
| E-Signals (Ecosystem) |
Partner moves, supply chain changes, platform updates |
"Company A acquires competitor", "Company B launches competing service" |
| C-Signals (Cultural) |
Workforce trends, social attitudes, macro-economic shifts |
"Remote work permanent", "AI trust concerns rising" |
For each signal found, document:
- Signal description (what happened)
- Source and date
- Vector classification (T/R/B/E/C)
- Initial relevance assessment
Step 2: PULSE Scoring
Score each signal on 5 dimensions (1-10):
| Dimension |
What It Measures |
Scoring Guide |
| Pattern |
Is this a one-off or repeating pattern? |
1=isolated event, 5=emerging trend, 10=established pattern |
| Urgency |
Time horizon before impact |
1=years away, 5=6-12 months, 10=imminent (under 3 months) |
| Leverage |
How much can we exploit this? |
1=no fit, 5=moderate advantage, 10=perfect strategic fit |
| Scope |
How many segments/geos affected? |
1=niche, 5=our core market, 10=entire industry |
| Evidence |
Quality of supporting data |
1=rumor, 5=multiple credible sources, 10=confirmed with data |
PULSE Composite = (P x 0.15) + (U x 0.25) + (L x 0.25) + (S x 0.15) + (E x 0.20)
Classification:
- 7.5+ = Critical Watch (act now or prepare immediately)
- 5.0-7.4 = Monitor (track weekly, prepare contingencies)
- Below 5.0 = Archive (log for future reference)
Step 3: Convergence Mapping
Overlay all Critical Watch signals to find convergence zones:
- Where do 3+ signals from DIFFERENT vectors intersect?
- Convergence zones represent the highest-opportunity (or highest-threat) areas
- Document each convergence with the contributing signals and the combined implication
Step 4: Implication Chains
For each Critical Watch signal, trace cascading effects:
- 1st order: Direct impact on our market/product
- 2nd order: How customers/competitors will respond
- 3rd order: New opportunities or threats that emerge from responses
Format: IF [signal] THEN [1st order] THEREFORE [2nd order] WHICH MEANS [3rd order]
Output
Save to outputs/signal-radar-[YYYY-MM-DD].md
Deliverables:
- Signal Dashboard: Table of all signals with PULSE scores, sorted by composite score, with trend arrows
- Convergence Map: Visual overlay showing where multiple vectors intersect, highlighting whitespace or threat zones
- Implication Chains: For each Critical Watch signal, the IF-THEN-THEREFORE chain
- Executive Summary: 1-page brief with "Act Now / Prepare / Watch" categorization
Chain Connections
- Next skill: Run
whitespace-finder with these signals to discover specific product opportunities
- Also feeds:
battle-scanner (signals inform competitive threat landscape), demand-engine (signals identify timing windows)
- Enhanced by: Run after
jtbd-extractor to overlay customer jobs onto signal analysis
1---2name: signal-radar3description: Continuous macro-market signal detection and classification engine that surfaces emerging trends, threats, and whitespace opportunities. Use when: market signals, market intelligence, trend analysis, emerging threats, market monitoring, what is changing in our market.4---56# Signal Radar (PULSE Framework)78Detect, classify, and score macro-market signals before competitors act. Surfaces technology shifts, regulatory changes, buyer behavior evolution, and ecosystem dynamics.910## When to Use11- Quarterly strategic planning12- Pre-launch market assessment13- Competitive threat monitoring14- New market entry evaluation15- Board-level market briefings1617## What You'll Need18**Critical inputs (ask if not provided):**19- Industry/market to monitor20- Product category or domain21- Known competitors (top 3-5)2223**Nice-to-have:**24- Recent analyst reports or news25- Internal customer feedback themes26- Current strategic priorities2728## Process2930### Step 1: Signal Collection31Classify every market signal into 5 vectors:3233| Vector | What It Tracks | Examples |34|--------|---------------|----------|35| **T-Signals** (Technology) | New protocols, platforms, standards, AI capabilities | "New foundation model released", "New API standard adopted" |36| **R-Signals** (Regulatory) | Compliance mandates, policy changes, industry standards | "GDPR enforcement update", "AI regulation passed" |37| **B-Signals** (Buyer behavior) | Purchasing patterns, channel preferences, budget shifts | "Buyers demanding self-serve trials", "CFO approval now required" |38| **E-Signals** (Ecosystem) | Partner moves, supply chain changes, platform updates | "Company A acquires competitor", "Company B launches competing service" |39| **C-Signals** (Cultural) | Workforce trends, social attitudes, macro-economic shifts | "Remote work permanent", "AI trust concerns rising" |4041For each signal found, document:42- Signal description (what happened)43- Source and date44- Vector classification (T/R/B/E/C)45- Initial relevance assessment4647### Step 2: PULSE Scoring48Score each signal on 5 dimensions (1-10):4950| Dimension | What It Measures | Scoring Guide |51|-----------|-----------------|---------------|52| **P**attern | Is this a one-off or repeating pattern? | 1=isolated event, 5=emerging trend, 10=established pattern |53| **U**rgency | Time horizon before impact | 1=years away, 5=6-12 months, 10=imminent (under 3 months) |54| **L**everage | How much can we exploit this? | 1=no fit, 5=moderate advantage, 10=perfect strategic fit |55| **S**cope | How many segments/geos affected? | 1=niche, 5=our core market, 10=entire industry |56| **E**vidence | Quality of supporting data | 1=rumor, 5=multiple credible sources, 10=confirmed with data |5758**PULSE Composite** = (P x 0.15) + (U x 0.25) + (L x 0.25) + (S x 0.15) + (E x 0.20)5960**Classification:**61- 7.5+ = **Critical Watch** (act now or prepare immediately)62- 5.0-7.4 = **Monitor** (track weekly, prepare contingencies)63- Below 5.0 = **Archive** (log for future reference)6465### Step 3: Convergence Mapping66Overlay all Critical Watch signals to find convergence zones:67- Where do 3+ signals from DIFFERENT vectors intersect?68- Convergence zones represent the highest-opportunity (or highest-threat) areas69- Document each convergence with the contributing signals and the combined implication7071### Step 4: Implication Chains72For each Critical Watch signal, trace cascading effects:73- **1st order**: Direct impact on our market/product74- **2nd order**: How customers/competitors will respond75- **3rd order**: New opportunities or threats that emerge from responses7677Format: IF [signal] THEN [1st order] THEREFORE [2nd order] WHICH MEANS [3rd order]7879## Output80Save to `outputs/signal-radar-[YYYY-MM-DD].md`8182### Deliverables:831. **Signal Dashboard**: Table of all signals with PULSE scores, sorted by composite score, with trend arrows842. **Convergence Map**: Visual overlay showing where multiple vectors intersect, highlighting whitespace or threat zones853. **Implication Chains**: For each Critical Watch signal, the IF-THEN-THEREFORE chain864. **Executive Summary**: 1-page brief with "Act Now / Prepare / Watch" categorization8788## Chain Connections89- **Next skill**: Run `whitespace-finder` with these signals to discover specific product opportunities90- **Also feeds**: `battle-scanner` (signals inform competitive threat landscape), `demand-engine` (signals identify timing windows)91- **Enhanced by**: Run after `jtbd-extractor` to overlay customer jobs onto signal analysis
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