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design-by-analogy

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Complete DBA process: problem reframe → source search → map → transfer → adapt. Full Design-by-Analogy methodology for systematic analogical design.

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/yogsoth-ai/de-anthropocentric-research-engine/blob/HEAD/skills/design-by-analogy/SKILL.md

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Design by Analogy

Complete Design-by-Analogy (DBA) process following the full methodology: problem reframe → source search → structural mapping → principle transfer → target adaptation.

State Ledger

ResourceTargetCurrent%
web-search3000%
web-research1000%
paper-overview3000%
paper-search2000%
paper-research1000%

HARD-GATE

Cannot exit strategy until ≥80% of each budget line is consumed OR yield targets are met with justification for remaining budget.

Available Tactics

TacticRole
analogy-extractionCore tactic — full analogy extraction pipeline
domain-divergenceMaximize source domain diversity
bridge-validationValidate analogy quality before transfer

Available SOPs

SOPRole
domain-scanningSearch for analogous source domains
abstraction-extractionExtract abstract design principles from source
structural-mappingMap source→target structural correspondences
analogy-quality-assessmentAssess analogy depth and transfer viability
transfer-adaptationAdapt transferred principle to target constraints
cross-domain-synthesisSynthesize DBA outputs into design proposals

Execution Guidance

  1. Problem reframe: Restate the design problem in function-behavior-structure terms
  2. Source search: Use domain-scanning across ≥5 distant domains (biology, architecture, materials, social systems, etc.)
  3. Abstract sources: Extract design principles from each source using abstraction-extraction
  4. Map structure: Apply structural-mapping to align source→target
  5. Assess quality: Use analogy-quality-assessment — require STRUCTURAL or SYSTEMIC depth
  6. Transfer: Carry principles from source to target domain
  7. Adapt: Use transfer-adaptation to fit principles to target constraints and physics
  8. Validate: Confirm adapted solution is feasible in target domain
  9. Synthesize: Produce structured DBA design report via cross-domain-synthesis

Available Tactics

Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.

TacticWhen to use
bridge-validationValidate analogy depth and transfer viability. Ensures only deep structural analogies (not surface-level similarities) proceed to transfer.
domain-divergenceScan and select maximally diverse source domains. Ensures creative search covers genuinely unrelated fields with high transfer potential.

Available SOPs

Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.

SOPWhen to use
abstraction-extractionExtract abstract principles from concrete domain cases. Strips domain-specific details to reveal transferable mechanisms.
analogy-quality-assessmentAssess analogy depth (surface/structural/systemic). Determines whether an analogy warrants transfer investment.
cross-domain-synthesisSynthesize all cross-domain findings into a structured idea report. Integrates outputs from all strategies and SOPs.
structural-mappingMap source→target structural correspondences. Identifies corresponding, missing, and extra elements between domains.
transfer-adaptationAdapt transferred principle to target problem constraints. Produces concrete adapted solutions from abstract principles.