Plan Writing Skill

Overview

A systematic approach to defining the scope, valid hypotheses, and actionable steps for complex investigations.

Core Components

1. Scope Definition

• •Objective: What is the ultimate goal?
• •Constraints: Time, resources, data availability.
• •Out of Scope: Explicitly state what will NOT be covered.

2. Hypothesis Formulation

• •Must be falsifiable.
• •Format: "If [variable] changes, then [outcome] occurs because [reason]."
• •Avoid vague statements like "Explore X".

3. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• •Decompose the main objective into sub-tasks.
• •Phasing:
  • •Phase 1: Exploration / Feasibility
  • •Phase 2: Core Execution
  • •Phase 3: Synthesis / Reporting

4. Resource Allocation

• •Which agents/skills are needed for each phase?
• •What data sources are required?

Best Practices

• •Iterative: A plan is a living document. Update it as new information arises.
• •Clear Deliverables: Each phase must end with a tangible artifact (e.g., "List of papers", "Prototype code").