| name | so-what-sharpener |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks "what's the so-what here," "sharpen this insight," "this is just facts, what does it mean," or provides a list of observations or data points that need to be turned into insight statements.
|
| allowed-tools | Read, Grep, Glob |
| metadata | {"version":"0.3.0","owner":"consulting practice","review_cadence":"quarterly","work_shape":"narrative-synthesis","permission_tier":"advisory","output_class":"draft-for-review","sourcing_policy":"volatile-facts-must-be-sourced"} |
So-What Sharpener
When to use
Sharpen observations into insight via observation → implication → insight chain. Smallest Minto unit before full narrative.
What this skill does not do
- Does not skip implication step — catches lazy insights.
- Does not force insight on non-load-bearing facts — "No insight earned" section.
- Does not build full pyramid — use
narrative-builder for that.
Preconditions
| Input | If missing |
|---|
| Observations or data points | Ask user to list |
| Decision context | Ask what decision insights must support |
Provisional mode
Missing decision context: implications literal only; insights tagged [review].
Trust spine
- Analytical Rigor (mandatory): Explicit three-step chain per point; merge redundant insights.
- Per
trust-conventions.md on tagged figures in observations.
Workflow
For each observation:
- State observation unchanged.
- State implication (literal).
- State insight (so-what for decision).
- Flag observations with no earned insight.
- Group and merge overlapping insights.
Output format
Observation: [...]
→ Implication: [...]
→ Insight: [...]
No insight earned: [...]
Worked example
Input: "Mid-tier ARPU down 12% QoQ." Decision: pricing revert?
Excerpt: Implication: mid-tier spending less; Insight: increase likely priced out intended segment — reconsider pricing [review].
Quality checks before delivering
Propose profile update
When a stable convention surfaces during this run (thresholds, naming, tone, output format, or recurring corrections), propose a profile update: show the exact diff against ~/.claude/plugins/config/claude-for-strategy/consulting/CLAUDE.md (org-wide facts go to org-profile.md), ask for confirmation, and write only on yes. Only /consulting:practice-setup auto-applies a full profile write.
Outputs
Follows plugin CLAUDE.md § Outputs. Next: /consulting:narrative-builder to assemble insights.