| name | signal-radar |
| description | Continuous macro-market signal detection and classification engine that surfaces emerging trends, threats, and whitespace opportunities. Use when: market signals, market intelligence, trend analysis, emerging threats, market monitoring, what is changing in our market. |
Signal Radar (PULSE Framework)
Detect, classify, and score macro-market signals before competitors act. Surfaces technology shifts, regulatory changes, buyer behavior evolution, and ecosystem dynamics.
When to Use
- Quarterly strategic planning
- Pre-launch market assessment
- Competitive threat monitoring
- New market entry evaluation
- Board-level market briefings
What You'll Need
Critical inputs (ask if not provided):
- Industry/market to monitor
- Product category or domain
- Known competitors (top 3-5)
Nice-to-have:
- Recent analyst reports or news
- Internal customer feedback themes
- Current strategic priorities
Process
Step 1: Signal Collection
Classify every market signal into 5 vectors:
| Vector | What It Tracks | Examples |
|---|
| T-Signals (Technology) | New protocols, platforms, standards, AI capabilities | "New foundation model released", "New API standard adopted" |
| R-Signals (Regulatory) | Compliance mandates, policy changes, industry standards | "GDPR enforcement update", "AI regulation passed" |
| B-Signals (Buyer behavior) | Purchasing patterns, channel preferences, budget shifts | "Buyers demanding self-serve trials", "CFO approval now required" |
| E-Signals (Ecosystem) | Partner moves, supply chain changes, platform updates | "Company A acquires competitor", "Company B launches competing service" |
| C-Signals (Cultural) | Workforce trends, social attitudes, macro-economic shifts | "Remote work permanent", "AI trust concerns rising" |
For each signal found, document:
- Signal description (what happened)
- Source and date
- Vector classification (T/R/B/E/C)
- Initial relevance assessment
Step 2: PULSE Scoring
Score each signal on 5 dimensions (1-10):
| Dimension | What It Measures | Scoring Guide |
|---|
| Pattern | Is this a one-off or repeating pattern? | 1=isolated event, 5=emerging trend, 10=established pattern |
| Urgency | Time horizon before impact | 1=years away, 5=6-12 months, 10=imminent (under 3 months) |
| Leverage | How much can we exploit this? | 1=no fit, 5=moderate advantage, 10=perfect strategic fit |
| Scope | How many segments/geos affected? | 1=niche, 5=our core market, 10=entire industry |
| Evidence | Quality of supporting data | 1=rumor, 5=multiple credible sources, 10=confirmed with data |
PULSE Composite = (P x 0.15) + (U x 0.25) + (L x 0.25) + (S x 0.15) + (E x 0.20)
Classification:
- 7.5+ = Critical Watch (act now or prepare immediately)
- 5.0-7.4 = Monitor (track weekly, prepare contingencies)
- Below 5.0 = Archive (log for future reference)
Step 3: Convergence Mapping
Overlay all Critical Watch signals to find convergence zones:
- Where do 3+ signals from DIFFERENT vectors intersect?
- Convergence zones represent the highest-opportunity (or highest-threat) areas
- Document each convergence with the contributing signals and the combined implication
Step 4: Implication Chains
For each Critical Watch signal, trace cascading effects:
- 1st order: Direct impact on our market/product
- 2nd order: How customers/competitors will respond
- 3rd order: New opportunities or threats that emerge from responses
Format: IF [signal] THEN [1st order] THEREFORE [2nd order] WHICH MEANS [3rd order]
Output
Save to outputs/signal-radar-[YYYY-MM-DD].md
Deliverables:
- Signal Dashboard: Table of all signals with PULSE scores, sorted by composite score, with trend arrows
- Convergence Map: Visual overlay showing where multiple vectors intersect, highlighting whitespace or threat zones
- Implication Chains: For each Critical Watch signal, the IF-THEN-THEREFORE chain
- Executive Summary: 1-page brief with "Act Now / Prepare / Watch" categorization
Chain Connections
- Next skill: Run
whitespace-finder with these signals to discover specific product opportunities
- Also feeds:
battle-scanner (signals inform competitive threat landscape), demand-engine (signals identify timing windows)
- Enhanced by: Run after
jtbd-extractor to overlay customer jobs onto signal analysis
