Problem Reformulation
Question the problem itself — are we solving the right problem?
Strategy Routing
| Signal |
Strategy |
| Dominant idea, paradigm lock-in, lateral thinking, escape |
→ dominant-idea-escape |
| Multiple perspectives, CATWOE, reframing matrix, Rich Pictures |
→ multi-perspective-reframing |
| Double-loop learning, governing variables, dialectical inquiry |
→ dialectical-reformulation |
| Wicked problems, Rittel's criteria, complexity, Cynefin |
→ wickedness-assessment |
| Positive deviance, Appreciative Inquiry, asset-based perspective |
→ appreciative-reframing |
Available Tactics
lateral-escape, multi-worldview-comparison, dialectical-escalation
Available SOPs
Import: web-search, web-research, paper-overview, paper-search, paper-research
Subagent: dominant-idea-identification, provocation-generation, consequence-following, catwoe-analysis, reframing-matrix, governing-variable-surfacing, counter-assumption-generation, wickedness-scoring, appreciative-discovery, reformulation-synthesis
Shared: assumption-surfacing, multi-stakeholder-simulation
Available Strategies
Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.
| Strategy |
When to use |
| appreciative-reframing |
Find positive deviants and reframe the problem from deficit-based to asset-based using Appreciative Inquiry. |
| dialectical-reformulation |
Surface Argyris governing variables and test whether the problem dissolves under alternative governing variables (double-loop learning). |
| dominant-idea-escape |
Identify dominant paradigms constraining the field and use de Bono lateral thinking provocations to escape them. |
| multi-perspective-reframing |
Apply CATWOE from multiple stakeholder viewpoints and reframing matrix to reveal aspects invisible from the dominant perspective. |
| wickedness-assessment |
Apply Rittel's 10 criteria to determine if the problem is tame, complex, or wicked, and adjust research strategy accordingly. |
Available SOPs
Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.
| SOP |
When to use |
| context-checkpoint |
Append research process and results to the current Phase's context file. Each append MUST contain >=500 lines of markdown covering both process and results. Use this skill at plan-designated checkpoint points — typically after each strategy completes or at key decision nodes within a research Phase. |
| context-init |
Create a new context file for a research Phase. Called once at Phase start to initialize the file that subsequent context-checkpoint calls will append to. Use this skill whenever a new research Phase begins and a fresh context file is needed. |
1---2name: problem-reformulation-23description: Problem Reformulation Campaign — question the problem itself. Escape dominant ideas, reframe from multiple perspectives, apply dialectical inquiry, assess wickedness, discover appreciative alternatives. 5 strategies, 3 tactics, 10 subagent SOPs.4---56# Problem Reformulation78Question the problem itself — are we solving the right problem?910## Strategy Routing1112| Signal | Strategy |13|--------|----------|14| Dominant idea, paradigm lock-in, lateral thinking, escape | → dominant-idea-escape |15| Multiple perspectives, CATWOE, reframing matrix, Rich Pictures | → multi-perspective-reframing |16| Double-loop learning, governing variables, dialectical inquiry | → dialectical-reformulation |17| Wicked problems, Rittel's criteria, complexity, Cynefin | → wickedness-assessment |18| Positive deviance, Appreciative Inquiry, asset-based perspective | → appreciative-reframing |1920## Available Tactics2122lateral-escape, multi-worldview-comparison, dialectical-escalation2324## Available SOPs2526**Import:** web-search, web-research, paper-overview, paper-search, paper-research27**Subagent:** dominant-idea-identification, provocation-generation, consequence-following, catwoe-analysis, reframing-matrix, governing-variable-surfacing, counter-assumption-generation, wickedness-scoring, appreciative-discovery, reformulation-synthesis28**Shared:** assumption-surfacing, multi-stakeholder-simulation2930<!-- BEGIN available-tables (generated) -->3132## Available Strategies3334Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.3536| Strategy | When to use |37| --- | --- |38| appreciative-reframing | Find positive deviants and reframe the problem from deficit-based to asset-based using Appreciative Inquiry. |39| dialectical-reformulation | Surface Argyris governing variables and test whether the problem dissolves under alternative governing variables (double-loop learning). |40| dominant-idea-escape | Identify dominant paradigms constraining the field and use de Bono lateral thinking provocations to escape them. |41| multi-perspective-reframing | Apply CATWOE from multiple stakeholder viewpoints and reframing matrix to reveal aspects invisible from the dominant perspective. |42| wickedness-assessment | Apply Rittel's 10 criteria to determine if the problem is tame, complex, or wicked, and adjust research strategy accordingly. |4344## Available SOPs4546Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.4748| SOP | When to use |49| --- | --- |50| context-checkpoint | Append research process and results to the current Phase's context file. Each append MUST contain >=500 lines of markdown covering both process and results. Use this skill at plan-designated checkpoint points — typically after each strategy completes or at key decision nodes within a research Phase. |51| context-init | Create a new context file for a research Phase. Called once at Phase start to initialize the file that subsequent context-checkpoint calls will append to. Use this skill whenever a new research Phase begins and a fresh context file is needed. |5253<!-- END available-tables (generated) -->
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