Deep Analysis Protocol

Purpose

This skill provides comprehensive strategic analysis capabilities for complex problems. It guides autonomous deep discovery using structured thinking frameworks to generate thorough, actionable insights.

Execution Framework

Phase 1: Context Gathering

Analyze the provided problem statement and gather relevant context:

• Identify all stakeholders and their perspectives
• Map the problem scope and boundaries
• Collect available data, constraints, and requirements
• Determine relevant frameworks based on problem type

Phase 1.5: Discovery Checklist (Autonomous)

Objective: Ensure comprehensive understanding before analysis.

Protocol:

1. Check for existing BRIEF.md, DISCOVERY.md, or context files in .cattoolkit/planning/
2. Scan for related documentation, README files, and architectural decision records
3. If critical information is missing, document the gap and proceed with Strategic Assumption (logged in analysis output)
4. If analysis is blocked entirely, create HANDOFF.md per execution-core protocol

Never stop to ask the user. Use available context or make documented assumptions.

Phase 2: Multi-Framework Analysis

Apply multiple thinking frameworks to ensure comprehensive coverage:

For Strategic Problems:

• Use first-principles to rebuild from fundamentals
• Apply second-order thinking to understand cascading effects
• Employ SWOT analysis for comprehensive situational assessment
• Consider inversion to identify failure modes

For Prioritization Problems:

• Apply Pareto analysis (80/20 rule) to identify vital few factors
• Use Eisenhower Matrix to categorize by urgency and importance
• Employ one-thing principle to find highest-leverage action

For Root Cause Analysis:

• Apply 5-whys to drill to root causes
• Use Occam's Razor to find simplest explanations
• Consider opportunity cost to analyze trade-offs

Phase 3: Synthesis & Insights

Generate comprehensive analysis:

• Combine insights from multiple frameworks
• Identify patterns and contradictions
• Surface hidden assumptions and biases
• Evaluate confidence levels and uncertainty factors

Phase 4: Recommendations & Action Planning

Develop actionable recommendations:

• Prioritize recommendations by impact and feasibility
• Consider implementation dependencies and sequencing
• Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies
• Define success metrics and validation criteria

Output Requirements

Generate ANALYSIS.md

Create a comprehensive output file following this structure:

# Strategic Analysis Report

## Executive Summary
{{CONCISE_PROBLEM_STATEMENT_AND_KEY_FINDINGS}}

## Problem Framing
### Context
{{PROBLEM_CONTEXT_AND_CONSTRAINTS}}

### Stakeholders
{{STAKEHOLDER_ANALYSIS}}

### Success Criteria
{{WHAT_SUCCESS_LOOKS_LIKE}}

## Framework Analysis

### Primary Framework: {{FRAMEWORK_NAME}}
**Rationale:** {{WHY_THIS_FRAMEWORK}}

**Analysis:**
{{DETAILED_ANALYSIS}}

**Key Insights:**
- {{INSIGHT_1}}
- {{INSIGHT_2}}
- {{INSIGHT_3}}

### Secondary Framework: {{FRAMEWORK_NAME}}
**Rationale:** {{WHY_THIS_FRAMEWORK}}

**Analysis:**
{{DETAILED_ANALYSIS}}

**Key Insights:**
- {{INSIGHT_1}}
- {{INSIGHT_2}}
- {{INSIGHT_3}}

### Synthesis
{{COMBINED_INSIGHTS_FROM_ALL_FRAMEWORKS}}

## Recommendations

### Priority 1 (Critical)
1. {{HIGH_IMPACT_ACTION}}
   - **Impact:** {{EXPECTED_OUTCOME}}
   - **Feasibility:** {{IMPLEMENTATION_DIFFICULTY}}
   - **Timeline:** {{ESTIMATED_DURATION}}

### Priority 2 (Important)
2. {{SECONDARY_ACTION}}
   - **Impact:** {{EXPECTED_OUTCOME}}
   - **Feasibility:** {{IMPLEMENTATION_DIFFICULTY}}
   - **Timeline:** {{ESTIMATED_DURATION}}

### Priority 3 (Desirable)
3. {{ADDITIONAL_ACTION}}
   - **Impact:** {{EXPECTED_OUTCOME}}
   - **Feasibility:** {{IMPLEMENTATION_DIFFICULTY}}
   - **Timeline:** {{ESTIMATED_DURATION}}

## Risk Assessment
{{POTENTIAL_RISKS_AND_MITIGATION_STRATEGIES}}

## Implementation Roadmap
{{SEQUENCING_AND_DEPENDENCIES}}

## Success Metrics
{{HOW_TO_MEASURE_SUCCESS}}

## Next Steps
{{IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS_REQUIRED}}

---
*Analysis completed using {{FRAMEWORKS_USED}} framework(s)*

Agent Instructions

As the brainstormer agent executing this skill:

1. Read the thinking-frameworks skill for detailed methodology on applying each framework
2. Select appropriate frameworks based on problem characteristics
3. Apply frameworks systematically to build comprehensive understanding
4. Synthesize insights from multiple perspectives
5. Generate actionable recommendations with clear priorities
6. Write complete analysis to ANALYSIS.md following the output template above

Framework Selection Guide: Standard Combos

1. "The Hardening Combo" (Robustness & Innovation)

• Frameworks: First Principles + Inversion
• Use when: Solving "impossible" bugs, architectural refactors, or greenfield design.
• Why: First Principles builds the perfect solution; Inversion ensures it cannot fail.

2. "The Efficiency Combo" (Speed & Focus)

• Frameworks: Pareto Principle + Via Negativa
• Use when: Overwhelmed, optimizing performance, or reducing technical debt.
• Why: Pareto identifies the 20% that matters; Via Negativa removes the friction stopping it.

3. "The Foresight Combo" (Strategy & Risk)

• Frameworks: Second-Order Thinking + 10-10-10
• Use when: Making irreversible decisions (migrations, stack choices, hiring).
• Why: Second-Order sees the hidden consequences; 10-10-10 forces long-term honesty.

4. "The Diagnostic Combo" (Root Cause)

• Frameworks: 5-Whys + Occam's Razor
• Use when: Debugging recurring issues or post-mortems.
• Why: 5-Whys digs deep; Occam's Razor stops you from over-complicating the diagnosis.

Quality Standards

• Analysis must be comprehensive and multi-dimensional
• Frameworks must be applied rigorously, not superficially
• Insights must be synthesized, not just listed
• Recommendations must be actionable and prioritized
• Output must follow the specified template structure
• Confidence levels must be stated for all conclusions
• Assumptions must be explicitly identified

Autonomy Directive

Execute this analysis autonomously without user interaction:

• Make framework selection decisions independently
• Gather context from available sources
• Apply frameworks to generate insights
• Synthesize comprehensive recommendations
• Produce complete ANALYSIS.md output

The agent should exercise judgment in framework selection and application while maintaining rigorous analytical standards.