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dimensional-analysis

Research
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Campaign for mapping design spaces — discover dimensions/axes, enumerate combinations, identify gaps and novel opportunities. Produces dimensional maps in the wiki vault.

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Dimensional Analysis

Map the design space of a research area by discovering its fundamental dimensions (axes of variation), enumerating meaningful combinations, and identifying unexplored regions that represent novel opportunities.

Manifest

LevelCountSkills
Strategy3dimension-discovery, combination-mapping, gap-prioritization
Tactic2axis-extraction, matrix-generation
SOP6dimension-page-creation, axis-validation, combination-enumeration, novelty-scoring, question-generation, matrix-export

Budget Table

MetricSmallMediumLarge
Dimensions identified3610
Axes per dimension358
Combinations explored103060
Novel gaps identified3815
Questions generated51225

Strategy Sequence (Reference, Not Prescription)

  1. dimension-discovery — identify fundamental axes of variation in the design space
  2. combination-mapping — enumerate interesting combinations, mark existing work
  3. gap-prioritization — rank unexplored combinations by novelty and feasibility

MCP Tools Used

  • vault_search — find existing coverage of dimension values
  • vault_add_edge — connect dimensions to concepts
  • vault_query_graph — explore existing dimension neighborhoods
  • vault_graph_stats — assess coverage completeness

Context-Management

Guiding Principles

  • Dimensions are independent. If two axes always co-vary, they're likely one dimension.
  • Completeness over depth. Map the full space first, then drill into promising regions.
  • Empty cells are opportunities. An unexplored combination in a well-populated matrix is a research opportunity.
  • Feasibility constrains. Not all combinations are realizable. Mark impossible combinations explicitly.
  • Cross-domain dimensions. The most interesting dimensions often come from outside the domain.

Available Strategies

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

StrategyWhen to use
dimension-discoveryStrategy for identifying fundamental dimensions of variation in a design space.
knowledge-structuring-combination-mappingStrategy for enumerating meaningful combinations across dimensions and marking existing work.
knowledge-structuring-gap-prioritizationStrategy for ranking unexplored combinations by novelty, feasibility, and potential impact.

Available Tactics

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

TacticWhen to use
axis-extractionTactic for systematically extracting axes of variation from literature — identify how practitioners compare approaches.
knowledge-compilationTactic for compiling research findings into vault pages — orchestrates page creation, updates, edge linking, and index maintenance. Minimum yield ≥3 page operations per invocation.
matrix-generationTactic for generating and populating combination matrices — cross dimensions to enumerate the design space.

Available SOPs

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

SOPWhen to use
context-checkpointAppend research process and results to the current Phase's context file. Each append MUST contain >=500 lines of markdown covering both process and results. Use this skill at plan-designated checkpoint points — typically after each strategy completes or at key decision nodes within a research Phase.
context-initCreate a new context file for a research Phase. Called once at Phase start to initialize the file that subsequent context-checkpoint calls will append to. Use this skill whenever a new research Phase begins and a fresh context file is needed.