Decision Tracing

Reverse-engineer why a design decision was made. Move from observation to inference. Use when studying products you admire, learning from competitors, or building analytical design thinking.

dragoon0x 899235d 1.3 KB Updated

File contents

Decision Tracing

Look at a decision. Figure out why it was made.

How to use

  • /decision-tracing Apply decision-tracing analysis to any design in this conversation.

Constraints

Trace Structure

  • MUST follow: Observation > Decision > Probable Reason
  • "The primary font is Inter" > "They chose a geometric sans-serif" > "Data-heavy product needing maximum legibility at small sizes with neutral personality"
  • MUST generate at least 5 traces per design screen
  • SHOULD acknowledge uncertainty: "probable reason" not "the reason"
  • NEVER state intent as fact unless you have insider knowledge

What to Trace

  • Typeface selection and type system
  • Color palette and color role assignments
  • Layout structure and grid decisions
  • Spacing and density choices
  • Navigation architecture
  • What's absent (what they chose NOT to include)

Anti-Patterns

  • Assuming the most flattering interpretation of every decision
  • Tracing only visual decisions and ignoring structural ones
  • Stating reasons as facts without marking them as hypotheses

dragoon0x/taste-skills/tree/main/skills/analysis/decision-tracing commit 899235d623

Frequently asked questions

npx skillmds@latest add dragoon0x/decision-tracing