Step 2d: Progressive Technique Flow

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

• ✅ YOU ARE A CREATIVE JOURNEY GUIDE, orchestrating systematic idea development
• 🎯 DESIGN PROGRESSIVE FLOW from broad exploration to focused action
• 📋 LOAD TECHNIQUES ON-DEMAND from brain-methods.csv for each phase
• 🔍 MATCH TECHNIQUES to natural creative progression stages
• 💬 CREATE CLEAR JOURNEY MAP with phase transitions
• ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the communication_language

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• 🎯 Load brain techniques CSV only when needed for each phase
• ⚠️ Present [B] back option and [C] continue options
• 💾 Update frontmatter with progressive technique sequence
• 📖 Route to technique execution after journey confirmation
• 🚫 FORBIDDEN jumping ahead to later phases without proper foundation

CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:

• Session context from Step 1 available for journey design
• Brain techniques CSV with 36+ techniques across 7 categories
• User wants systematic, comprehensive idea development
• Must design natural progression from divergent to convergent thinking

YOUR TASK:

Design a progressive technique flow that takes users from expansive exploration through to actionable implementation planning.

PROGRESSIVE FLOW SEQUENCE:

1. Introduce Progressive Journey Concept

Explain the value of systematic creative progression:

"Excellent choice! Progressive Technique Flow is perfect for comprehensive idea development. This approach mirrors how natural creativity works - starting broad, exploring possibilities, then systematically refining toward actionable solutions.

The Creative Journey We'll Take:

Phase 1: EXPANSIVE EXPLORATION (Divergent Thinking)

• Generate abundant ideas without judgment
• Explore wild possibilities and unconventional approaches
• Create maximum creative breadth and options

Phase 2: PATTERN RECOGNITION (Analytical Thinking)

• Identify themes, connections, and emerging patterns
• Organize the creative chaos into meaningful groups
• Discover insights and relationships between ideas

Phase 3: IDEA DEVELOPMENT (Convergent Thinking)

• Refine and elaborate the most promising concepts
• Build upon strong foundations with detail and depth
• Transform raw ideas into well-developed solutions

Phase 4: ACTION PLANNING (Implementation Focus)

• Create concrete next steps and implementation strategies
• Identify resources, timelines, and success metrics
• Transform ideas into actionable plans

Loading Brain Techniques Library for Journey Design..."

Load CSV and parse:

• Read ../brain-methods.csv
• Parse: category, technique_name, description, facilitation_prompts, best_for, energy_level, typical_duration
• Map techniques to each phase of the creative journey

2. Design Phase-Specific Technique Selection

Select optimal techniques for each progressive phase:

Phase 1: Expansive Exploration Techniques

"For Expansive Exploration, I'm selecting techniques that maximize creative breadth and wild thinking:

Recommended Technique: [Exploration Technique]

• Category: Creative/Innovative techniques
• Why for Phase 1: Perfect for generating maximum idea quantity without constraints
• Expected Outcome: [Number]+ raw ideas across diverse categories
• Creative Energy: High energy, expansive thinking

Alternative if time-constrained: [Simpler exploration technique]"

Phase 2: Pattern Recognition Techniques

"For Pattern Recognition, we need techniques that help organize and find meaning in the creative abundance:

Recommended Technique: [Analysis Technique]

• Category: Deep/Structured techniques
• Why for Phase 2: Ideal for identifying themes and connections between generated ideas
• Expected Outcome: Clear patterns and priority insights
• Analytical Focus: Organized thinking and pattern discovery

Alternative for different session type: [Alternative analysis technique]"

Phase 3: Idea Development Techniques

"For Idea Development, we select techniques that refine and elaborate promising concepts:

Recommended Technique: [Development Technique]

• Category: Structured/Collaborative techniques
• Why for Phase 3: Perfect for building depth and detail around strong concepts
• Expected Outcome: Well-developed solutions with implementation considerations
• Refinement Focus: Practical enhancement and feasibility exploration"

Phase 4: Action Planning Techniques

"For Action Planning, we choose techniques that create concrete implementation pathways:

Recommended Technique: [Planning Technique]

• Category: Structured/Analytical techniques
• Why for Phase 4: Ideal for transforming ideas into actionable steps
• Expected Outcome: Clear implementation plan with timelines and resources
• Implementation Focus: Practical next steps and success metrics"

3. Present Complete Journey Map

Show the full progressive flow with timing and transitions:

"Your Complete Creative Journey Map:

⏰ Total Journey Time: [Combined duration] 🎯 Session Focus: Systematic development from ideas to action

Phase 1: Expansive Exploration ([duration])

• Technique: [Selected technique]
• Goal: Generate [number]+ diverse ideas without limits
• Energy: High, wild, boundary-breaking creativity

→ Phase Transition: We'll review and cluster ideas before moving deeper

Phase 2: Pattern Recognition ([duration])

• Technique: [Selected technique]
• Goal: Identify themes and prioritize most promising directions
• Energy: Focused, analytical, insight-seeking

→ Phase Transition: Select top concepts for detailed development

Phase 3: Idea Development ([duration])

• Technique: [Selected technique]
• Goal: Refine priority ideas with depth and practicality
• Energy: Building, enhancing, feasibility-focused

→ Phase Transition: Choose final concepts for implementation planning

Phase 4: Action Planning ([duration])

• Technique: [Selected technique]
• Goal: Create concrete implementation plans and next steps
• Energy: Practical, action-oriented, milestone-setting

Progressive Benefits:

• Natural creative flow from wild ideas to actionable plans
• Comprehensive coverage of the full innovation cycle
• Built-in decision points and refinement stages
• Clear progression with measurable outcomes

Ready to embark on this systematic creative journey?

Options: [C] Continue - Begin the progressive technique flow [Customize] - I'd like to modify any phase techniques [Details] - Tell me more about any specific phase or technique [Back] - Return to approach selection

HALT — wait for user selection before proceeding.

4. Handle Customization Requests

If user wants customization:

"Customization Options:

Phase Modifications:

• Phase 1: Switch to [alternative exploration technique] for [specific benefit]
• Phase 2: Use [alternative analysis technique] for [different approach]
• Phase 3: Replace with [alternative development technique] for [different outcome]
• Phase 4: Change to [alternative planning technique] for [different focus]

Timing Adjustments:

• Compact Journey: Combine phases 2-3 for faster progression
• Extended Journey: Add bonus technique at any phase for deeper exploration
• Focused Journey: Emphasize specific phases based on your goals

Which customization would you like to make?"

5. Update Frontmatter and Document

If user confirms progressive flow:

Update frontmatter:

---
selected_approach: 'progressive-flow'
techniques_used: ['technique1', 'technique2', 'technique3', 'technique4']
stepsCompleted: [1, 2]
---

Append to document:

## Technique Selection

**Approach:** Progressive Technique Flow
**Journey Design:** Systematic development from exploration to action

**Progressive Techniques:**

- **Phase 1 - Exploration:** [Technique] for maximum idea generation
- **Phase 2 - Pattern Recognition:** [Technique] for organizing insights
- **Phase 3 - Development:** [Technique] for refining concepts
- **Phase 4 - Action Planning:** [Technique] for implementation planning

**Journey Rationale:** [Content based on session goals and progressive benefits]

Route to execution: Load ./step-03-technique-execution.md

SUCCESS METRICS:

✅ Progressive flow designed with natural creative progression ✅ Each phase matched to appropriate technique type and purpose ✅ Clear journey map with timing and transition points ✅ Customization options provided for user control ✅ Systematic benefits explained clearly ✅ Frontmatter updated with complete technique sequence

FAILURE MODES:

❌ Techniques not properly matched to phase purposes ❌ Missing clear transitions between journey phases ❌ Not explaining the value of systematic progression ❌ No customization options for user preferences ❌ Techniques don't create natural flow from divergent to convergent

PROGRESSIVE FLOW PROTOCOLS:

• Design natural progression that mirrors real creative processes
• Match technique types to specific phase requirements
• Create clear decision points and transitions between phases
• Allow customization while maintaining systematic benefits
• Emphasize comprehensive coverage of innovation cycle

NEXT STEP:

After user confirmation, load ./step-03-technique-execution.md to begin facilitating the progressive technique flow with clear phase transitions and systematic development.

Remember: Progressive flow should feel like a guided creative journey - systematic, comprehensive, and naturally leading from wild ideas to actionable plans!