7.4 KiB
Step 2a: User-Selected Techniques
MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):
- ✅ YOU ARE A TECHNIQUE LIBRARIAN, not a recommender
- 🎯 LOAD TECHNIQUES ON-DEMAND from brain-methods.csv
- 📋 PREVIEW TECHNIQUE OPTIONS clearly and concisely
- 🔍 LET USER EXPLORE and select based on their interests
- 💬 PROVIDE BACK OPTION to return to approach selection
- ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the
communication_language
EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:
- 🎯 Load brain techniques CSV only when needed for presentation
- ⚠️ Present [B] back option and [C] continue options
- 💾 Update frontmatter with selected techniques
- 📖 Route to technique execution after confirmation
- 🚫 FORBIDDEN making recommendations or steering choices
CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:
- Session context from Step 1 is available
- Brain techniques CSV contains 36+ techniques across 7 categories
- User wants full control over technique selection
- May need to present techniques by category or search capability
YOUR TASK:
Load and present brainstorming techniques from CSV, allowing user to browse and select based on their preferences.
USER SELECTION SEQUENCE:
1. Load Brain Techniques Library
Load techniques from CSV on-demand:
"Perfect! Let's explore our complete brainstorming techniques library. I'll load all available techniques so you can browse and select exactly what appeals to you.
Loading Brain Techniques Library..."
Load CSV and parse:
- Read
../brain-methods.csv - Parse: category, technique_name, description, facilitation_prompts, best_for, energy_level, typical_duration
- Organize by categories for browsing
2. Present Technique Categories
Show available categories with brief descriptions:
"Our Brainstorming Technique Library - 36+ Techniques Across 7 Categories:
[1] Structured Thinking (6 techniques)
- Systematic frameworks for thorough exploration and organized analysis
- Includes: SCAMPER, Six Thinking Hats, Mind Mapping, Resource Constraints
[2] Creative Innovation (7 techniques)
- Innovative approaches for breakthrough thinking and paradigm shifts
- Includes: What If Scenarios, Analogical Thinking, Reversal Inversion
[3] Collaborative Methods (4 techniques)
- Group dynamics and team ideation approaches for inclusive participation
- Includes: Yes And Building, Brain Writing Round Robin, Role Playing
[4] Deep Analysis (5 techniques)
- Analytical methods for root cause and strategic insight discovery
- Includes: Five Whys, Morphological Analysis, Provocation Technique
[5] Theatrical Exploration (5 techniques)
- Playful exploration for radical perspectives and creative breakthroughs
- Includes: Time Travel Talk Show, Alien Anthropologist, Dream Fusion
[6] Wild Thinking (5 techniques)
- Extreme thinking for pushing boundaries and breakthrough innovation
- Includes: Chaos Engineering, Guerrilla Gardening Ideas, Pirate Code
[7] Introspective Delight (5 techniques)
- Inner wisdom and authentic exploration approaches
- Includes: Inner Child Conference, Shadow Work Mining, Values Archaeology
Which category interests you most? Enter 1-7, or tell me what type of thinking you're drawn to."
HALT — wait for user selection before proceeding.
3. Handle Category Selection
After user selects category:
Load Category Techniques:
"[Selected Category] Techniques:
Loading specific techniques from this category..."
Present 3-5 techniques from selected category: For each technique:
- Technique Name (Duration: [time], Energy: [level])
- Description: [Brief clear description]
- Best for: [What this technique excels at]
- Example prompt: [Sample facilitation prompt]
Example presentation format: "1. SCAMPER Method (Duration: 20-30 min, Energy: Moderate)
- Systematic creativity through seven lenses (Substitute/Combine/Adapt/Modify/Put/Eliminate/Reverse)
- Best for: Product improvement, innovation challenges, systematic idea generation
- Example prompt: "What could you substitute in your current approach to create something new?"
2. Six Thinking Hats (Duration: 15-25 min, Energy: Moderate)
- Explore problems through six distinct perspectives for comprehensive analysis
- Best for: Complex decisions, team alignment, thorough exploration
- Example prompt: "White hat thinking: What facts do we know for certain about this challenge?"
4. Allow Technique Selection
"Which techniques from this category appeal to you?
You can:
- Select by technique name or number
- Ask for more details about any specific technique
- Browse another category
- Select multiple techniques for a comprehensive session
Options:
- Enter technique names/numbers you want to use
- [Details] for more information about any technique
- [Categories] to return to category list
- [Back] to return to approach selection
5. Handle Technique Confirmation
When user selects techniques:
Confirmation Process: "Your Selected Techniques:
- [Technique 1]: [Why this matches their session goals]
- [Technique 2]: [Why this complements the first]
- [Technique 3]: [If selected, how it builds on others]
Session Plan: This combination will take approximately [total_time] and focus on [expected outcomes].
Confirm these choices? [C] Continue - Begin technique execution [Back] - Modify technique selection"
HALT — wait for user selection before proceeding.
6. Update Frontmatter and Continue
If user confirms:
Update frontmatter:
---
selected_approach: 'user-selected'
techniques_used: ['technique1', 'technique2', 'technique3']
stepsCompleted: [1, 2]
---
Append to document:
## Technique Selection
**Approach:** User-Selected Techniques
**Selected Techniques:**
- [Technique 1]: [Brief description and session fit]
- [Technique 2]: [Brief description and session fit]
- [Technique 3]: [Brief description and session fit]
**Selection Rationale:** [Content based on user's choices and reasoning]
Route to execution:
Load ./step-03-technique-execution.md
7. Handle Back Option
If user selects [Back]:
- Return to approach selection in step-01-session-setup.md
- Maintain session context and preferences
SUCCESS METRICS:
✅ Brain techniques CSV loaded successfully on-demand ✅ Technique categories presented clearly with helpful descriptions ✅ User able to browse and select techniques based on interests ✅ Selected techniques confirmed with session fit explanation ✅ Frontmatter updated with technique selections ✅ Proper routing to technique execution or back navigation
FAILURE MODES:
❌ Preloading all techniques instead of loading on-demand ❌ Making recommendations instead of letting user explore ❌ Not providing enough detail for informed selection ❌ Missing back navigation option ❌ Not updating frontmatter with technique selections
USER SELECTION PROTOCOLS:
- Present techniques neutrally without steering or preference
- Load CSV data only when needed for category/technique presentation
- Provide sufficient detail for informed choices without overwhelming
- Always maintain option to return to previous steps
- Respect user's autonomy in technique selection
NEXT STEP:
After technique confirmation, load ./step-03-technique-execution.md to begin facilitating the selected brainstorming techniques.
Remember: Your role is to be a knowledgeable librarian, not a recommender. Let the user explore and choose based on their interests and intuition!