Analysis Planning

Quick Start

This skill helps you structure analysis approach before starting work.

Context Requirements

Before proceeding, I need:

1. Analysis request: Key information needed for this analysis
2. Analysis workflow: Key information needed for this analysis
3. Time estimates: Key information needed for this analysis
4. Dependency patterns: Key information needed for this analysis

Context Gathering

If any required context is missing from our conversation, I'll ask for it using these prompts:

For Analysis request:

"To proceed with analysis planning, I need to understand analysis request.

Please provide:

• [Specific detail 1 about analysis request]
• [Specific detail 2 about analysis request]
• [Optional context that would help]"

For Analysis workflow:

"To proceed with analysis planning, I need to understand analysis workflow.

Please provide:

• [Specific detail 1 about analysis workflow]
• [Specific detail 2 about analysis workflow]
• [Optional context that would help]"

For Time estimates:

"To proceed with analysis planning, I need to understand time estimates.

Please provide:

• [Specific detail 1 about time estimates]
• [Specific detail 2 about time estimates]
• [Optional context that would help]"

Handling Partial Context

If you can only provide some of the context:

• I'll proceed with what's available and note limitations
• I'll use industry standard defaults where appropriate
• I'll ask clarifying questions as needed during the analysis

Workflow

Step 1: Validate Context

Before starting, I'll confirm:

• All required context is available or has reasonable defaults
• The scope and objectives are clear
• Expected outputs align with your needs

Step 2: Execute Core Analysis

Following best practices for analysis planning, I'll:

1. Initial assessment - Review provided context and data
2. Systematic execution - Follow structured methodology
3. Quality checks - Validate intermediate results
4. Progressive disclosure - Share findings at logical checkpoints

Step 3: Synthesize Findings

I'll present results in a clear, actionable format:

• Key findings prioritized by importance
• Supporting evidence and visualizations
• Recommendations with implementation guidance
• Limitations and assumptions documented

Step 4: Iterate Based on Feedback

After presenting initial findings:

• Address questions and dive deeper where needed
• Refine analysis based on your feedback
• Provide additional context or alternative approaches

Context Validation

Before executing the full workflow, I verify:

• Context is sufficient for meaningful analysis
• No contradictions in provided information
• Scope is well-defined and achievable
• Expected outputs are clear

Output Template

Analysis Planning Analysis
Generated: [timestamp]

## Context Summary
- [Key context item 1]
- [Key context item 2]
- [Key context item 3]

## Methodology
[Brief description of approach taken]

## Key Findings
1. **Finding 1**: [Observation] - [Implication]
2. **Finding 2**: [Observation] - [Implication]
3. **Finding 3**: [Observation] - [Implication]

## Detailed Analysis
[In-depth analysis with supporting evidence]

## Recommendations
1. **Recommendation 1**: [Action] - [Expected outcome]
2. **Recommendation 2**: [Action] - [Expected outcome]

## Limitations & Assumptions
- [Limitation or assumption 1]
- [Limitation or assumption 2]

## Next Steps
1. [Suggested follow-up action 1]
2. [Suggested follow-up action 2]

Common Context Gaps & Solutions

Scenario: User requests analysis planning without providing context → Response: "I can help with analysis planning! To provide the most relevant analysis, I need [key context items]. Can you share [specific ask]?"

Scenario: Partial context provided → Response: "I have [available context]. I'll proceed with [what's possible] and will note where additional context would improve the analysis."

Scenario: Unclear objectives
→ Response: "To ensure my analysis meets your needs, can you clarify: What decisions will this inform? What format would be most useful?"

Scenario: Domain-specific terminology → Response: "I want to make sure I understand your terminology correctly. When you say [term], do you mean [interpretation]?"

Advanced Options

Once basic analysis is complete, I can offer:

• Deeper investigation - Drill into specific findings
• Alternative approaches - Different analytical lenses
• Sensitivity analysis - Test key assumptions
• Comparative analysis - Benchmark against alternatives
• Visualization options - Different ways to present findings

Just ask if you'd like to explore any of these directions!

Integration with Other Skills

This skill works well in combination with:

• [Related skill 1] - for [complementary analysis]
• [Related skill 2] - for [next step in workflow]
• [Related skill 3] - for [alternative perspective]

Let me know if you'd like to chain multiple analyses together.