Expand options

Break past the obvious option set by reframing the problem, transforming the seed with SCAMPER, and reversing its foundational assumptions, then shortlisting candidates.

Flow

graph LR
  nthinkproblemrestatement["Problem Restatement"]
  nthinkscamper["SCAMPER"]
  nthinkassumptionreversal["Assumption Reversal"]
  nthinkproblemrestatement --> nthinkscamper --> nthinkassumptionreversal

Each step passes a compressed artifact to the next. The numbered list below is the same chain in text.

The chain

1. think-problem-restatement
2. think-scamper
3. think-assumption-reversal

Job: break past the obvious option set and generate a genuinely broader range of candidates.

Use when: the options on the table feel incremental or all share a hidden premise, and you need more and better candidates before deciding.

Chain

1. think-problem-restatement (skills/think-problem-restatement/SKILL.md)
   • Make sure you are expanding options for the right problem.
   • Carry forward: the chosen working frame.
2. think-scamper (skills/think-scamper/SKILL.md)
   • Transform the seed idea(s) through the seven lenses; shortlist.
   • Carry forward: the SCAMPER shortlist.
   • Swap-in: for blank-page breadth (no seed yet), use think-brainwriting instead, which has stronger evidence for generation.
3. think-assumption-reversal (skills/think-assumption-reversal/SKILL.md)
   • Surface and reverse the foundational assumptions the options share; generate non-obvious candidates.
   • Carry forward: the combined shortlist of candidates (SCAMPER + reversal), flagged as candidates not decisions.

Composite artifact

A de-duplicated shortlist of candidate options spanning incremental variations and assumption-breaking alternatives, ready to hand to a decision skill.

Token discipline

Carry only the shortlists between steps. Hand the final combined shortlist to think-decision-option-review to converge.