| name | iterative-scouting |
| model | opus |
| description | Produces a follow-up scout document that reframes the original question based on what feedback revealed (a reframe = a new strategic lens that changes which problem is worth solving). Use when: 'scout this again with fresh eyes', 'the first scout raised deeper questions', 'what is the real question here', 'iterate the scout'. |
| category | strategic-thinking |
| triggers | ["scout this again with fresh eyes","the first scout raised deeper questions","what is the real question here","iterate the scout"] |
| tier | 1 |
| agents | ["primary"] |
| tool_dependencies | ["file_system"] |
| inputs | [{"name":"original_scout","type":"string","description":"The original scout document or question that raised deeper issues","required":true},{"name":"feedback","type":"string","description":"Feedback or new insight that triggers the re-scout","required":true}] |
| outputs | [{"name":"follow_up_scout","type":"ref","format":"cas-ref","description":"Follow-up scout document reframing the original question with a new strategic lens"}] |
Iterative Scouting Pattern Skill
Version: 1.1
Created: 2026-02-07
Author: Manus AI
Purpose: To formalize the meta-process of strategic scouting, emphasizing its iterative nature and the importance of reframing.
I. The Philosophy: Scouting as a Conversation
Strategic scouting is not a linear process of finding the "right" answer. It is a conversation with the strategic landscape. The goal of the first scout is not to produce a final decision, but to generate a set of provocative routes that will elicit a deeper, more insightful response. The real prize is not the initial answer, but the reframe of the original question.
A reframe is a new strategic lens that changes which problem is worth solving — not a refinement of the original question, but a replacement of it with a better one.
This skill operationalizes the pattern of scout → feedback → reframe → re-scout, turning a simple exploration into a powerful engine for strategic discovery.
II. When to Use This Skill
- When facing a complex strategic decision with no obvious answer.
- When the initial framing of a problem feels too narrow or binary.
- After an initial strategic scout has been completed and feedback has been gathered.
- When you need to teach or demonstrate the process of strategic thinking.
III. The Workflow
This is a 4-step workflow for the iterative scouting pattern.
Step 1: Initial Scout
Goal: To explore the initial strategic tension and propose a set of viable routes.
Actions:
- Identify the initial tension (e.g., "Deprecate vs. Companion").
- Use
/strategic-scout to explore a diverse set of routes.
- Synthesize the routes and propose a provocative starting point.
Step 2: Gather Feedback & Listen for the Reframe
Goal: To present the initial scouting results and listen for the deeper question hidden in the feedback.
Actions:
- Present the initial routes.
- Listen not just for agreement or disagreement, but for the way the feedback is framed.
- Identify the "question behind the question" (e.g., the shift from "what to do with the web app" to "what is the mobile experience for?").
- Explicitly ask: "Did this feedback confirm the original question, or reveal a different one?"
Step 3: Re-Scout with the New Lens
