# Problem Reformulation

> 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.

- Skill: `yogsoth-ai/problem-reformulation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add yogsoth-ai/problem-reformulation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/yogsoth-ai/problem-reformulation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: yogsoth-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/yogsoth-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/yogsoth-ai/problem-reformulation

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# 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

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## 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. Covers both process and results with genuine substance. 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. |

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