consulting-frameworks

name	consulting-frameworks
description	Use when a proposal methodology needs a coherent conceptual framework, problem decomposition, or phase logic. Unlike business-analysis-tools, this skill shapes the overall consulting approach rather than selecting a technique for one analytical task.
metadata	{"portable":true,"compatible_with":["claude-code","codex"]}

Consulting Frameworks

Acknowledgement: Shared by Peter Bamuhigire, techguypeter.com, [phone].

Use When

• Use this skill when the assignment needs consulting frameworks to shape methodology, analysis, or recommendations.
• Load it when a proposal section needs structured problem-solving logic.

Do Not Use When

• The task only needs formatting or proposer-profile selection.
• Another supporting skill is a closer fit for the assignment.

Required Inputs

Artefact	Source	Required?	If absent
ToR problem, objectives, deliverables, and evaluation criteria	Client procurement pack	required	Stop framework selection and identify missing scope.
Sector evidence and delivery constraints	Verified sources and discovery	conditional	Qualify the model and list validation needs.

Workflow

Stop or block the workflow when a required input, permission, or acceptance basis is missing. Recover by revising the scope, obtaining evidence, or returning the narrowest qualified draft before proceeding.

1. Identify which analytical problem the proposal needs to structure.
2. Decide whether the assignment also needs premium pricing, service design, technical strategy, or evaluator-story framing.
3. Read the local references only where they materially improve the output.
4. Select the frameworks that fit the assignment and turn them into proposal-ready logic.
5. Integrate the result into the relevant section and check for consistency.

Quality Standards

• Translate frameworks into practical proposal language, sequence, and decisions.
• Use only the methods that improve the actual assignment response.
• Preserve compatibility with existing repository workflows and file paths.

Anti-Patterns

• Listing frameworks without an assignment decision. Fix: name the question and deliverable each serves.
• Combining overlapping models for appearance. Fix: select the smallest coherent stack.
• Copying a textbook sequence over the ToR. Fix: align phases to client decisions and acceptance points.
• Hiding assumptions behind diagrams. Fix: state assumptions and their validation step.
• Using a framework as evidence. Fix: distinguish method from verified findings.

Outputs

Artefact	Consumer	Acceptance condition
Conceptual approach and phase logic	Evaluator and methodology writer	Shows problem decomposition, evidence flow, decisions, deliverables, and ToR links.

Evidence Produced

Evidence	Consumer	Acceptance condition
Framework-to-requirement map	Traceability table	Every selected component serves a named requirement or is removed.

Capability and Permission Boundaries

Read and search are required; any edit or external action remains within the explicit authority and permission boundary stated below. Read and search are required; proposal editing requires authority. Framework selection does not authorise client decisions, operational mutation, or claims that unperformed analysis is complete.

Degraded Mode

If sufficient brief or evidence is unavailable, return a provisional framework with explicit assumptions, alternatives, and discovery questions. Do not imply that a diagram validates the approach.

Decision Rules

Need	Action	Risk avoided
Explain the assignment as a system	Use a conceptual model	Disconnected activities
Break a complex problem into testable parts	Use an issue tree	Overlapping workstreams
Convert diagnosis into implementation	Use staged decision gates	Recommendations without adoption path

Worked Example

For a service-redesign bid, structure evidence gathering, journey diagnosis, option selection, prototype, and handover, with a client decision after diagnosis.

References

• Proposal skills router for repository-wide routing and mandatory quality gates.
• Local references/ files when detailed frameworks or examples are needed.
• ../references/technical-strategy-credibility-checklist.md for software, SaaS, AI, cloud, API, roadmap, operations, and architecture strategy.
• ../references/service-design-methodology-module.md for journey mapping, blueprints, co-creation, and service implementation frameworks.
• ../references/proposal-narrative-patterns-and-case-story-spine.md for evaluator journey, proof stories, and design rationale.

A library of structured analytical frameworks drawn from top-tier consulting practice. These frameworks are the building blocks of methodology sections — they determine how problems are decomposed, how analysis is structured, and how recommendations are developed.

When to Read This Skill

• Designing the conceptual approach for a methodology section
• Structuring analytical phases for a diagnostic, strategy, or implementation proposal
• Selecting the right problem decomposition method for a given ToR
• Building quantitative analysis into a methodology
• Structuring recommendations and deliverable presentations

How to Use

1. Identify the assignment type from the ToR (market entry, profitability, M&A, operational improvement, strategy, etc.)
2. Select the matching framework from the relevant reference file
3. Customise sub-activities to the specific client context
4. Embed quantitative analysis patterns where the ToR requires financial or feasibility analysis
5. Structure the final deliverable presentation using the communication frameworks

Reference Files

Reference File	Contents	Use When
references/problem-structuring.md	Eight first-principles structuring strategies, issue tree construction, MECE compliance, hypothesis-driven analysis, eight-bucket system, idea expansion techniques, lateral thinking toolkit, Six Thinking Hats	Designing any methodology's conceptual framework; decomposing any consulting problem
references/financial-analysis.md	Expected value, cannibalisation analysis, breakeven, profitability decomposition, market sizing, pricing toolkit, pocket pricing model, customer lifetime value, experience curve	The ToR requires financial feasibility, investment appraisal, cost-benefit analysis, or market analysis
references/strategy-frameworks.md	Market entry, competitive response, build/buy/partner, adjacent market proximity, M&A evaluation, pricing strategy, Blue Ocean ERRC, Discipline of Market Leaders, disruptive innovation, structured choice decision-making, scenario planning, Rumelt's Kernel, Innovation-Change-Learning Matrix	Strategy, market entry, growth, competitive positioning, innovation, or acquisition assignments
references/operations-frameworks.md	Process bottleneck, stakeholder-based framework, criteria-based option evaluation, situation assessment, job-to-be-done, importance × satisfaction analysis, structured decision-making	Operations improvement, process reengineering, multi-stakeholder assignments, option appraisal
references/devops-delivery-diagnostics.md	Value-stream flow, CI/CD, release governance, PHP/LAMP operations, cloud-native delivery, observability, incident response, DevSecOps, GitOps, and software delivery KPIs	Software delivery, SaaS operations, digital platforms, cloud migration, production reliability, or DevOps transformation
references/communication-structures.md	SCORE storytelling, top-down recommendation structure, exhibit interpretation, analytical sense-checking, action titles, Hero's Journey narrative, Tufte's data visualisation rules, Comma Effect	Structuring deliverables, presentations, experience narratives, and qualitative analysis

Relationship to Other Skills

• business-analysis-tools/ — diagnostic instruments applied DURING delivery (SWOT, PESTLE, gap analysis, maturity models). Consulting frameworks here are for DESIGNING the methodology.
• references/consulting-delivery-excellence.md — how to deliver well (process, quality, team management). Frameworks here are what analytical approach to use.
• references/proposal-strategy-and-persuasion.md — how to write persuasively. Frameworks here provide the analytical substance that persuasion wraps around.
• 06-methodology/SKILL.md — the methodology section skill. It draws on these frameworks when building the phase-by-phase plan.

Follow east-african-english standards throughout.