augmented skill · Stage 02

Research-repository tagging/synthesis

Research-repository tagging/synthesis is the discipline of Dovetail/Condens-class tools. It helps a designer build a verified fact base without confusing generated synthesis with lived evidence while keeping the final judgment traceable and human-owned.

This skill supports reliable work in Intelligence Gathering and prevents speed from being mistaken for quality.

Stage outcome

Build a verified fact base, user behavior, market landscape, competitive structure, grounded in the charter's success metrics from Stage 01

01

Frames research-repository tagging/synthesis against a clear goal, relevant evidence, and the stage quality gate.

02

Directs AI with scoped inputs, reviews uncertainty, and redirects weak or unsupported output.

03

Documents the decision, trade-off, correction, or override so another designer can follow the reasoning.

Apply this skill before the Stage 02 gate is approved. The accountable designer must be able to explain how it changed the work, what evidence was considered, and why the result is safe to advance.

Common failure patterns

  • Confusing clustered or synthetic patterns with observed user truth, especially when outliers are inconvenient.
  • Accepting fluent or high-confidence output without testing its evidence, assumptions, exclusions, and downstream effects.
  • Recording the final artefact while omitting the rejected option, correction, trade-off, or override that explains the decision.

Use it on the work you already have.

Take one current intelligence gathering artifact. Apply research-repository tagging/synthesis for five minutes, then record one AI contribution, one human correction, and the evidence that justified the final decision.

  • A reviewed research synthesis, validated persona, or evidence map showing the skill in use.
  • A short rationale linking the decision to evidence, risk, and intended outcome.
  • An example of an AI suggestion that was corrected, rejected, or deliberately accepted.

Leadership assessment questions

01

Can the designer demonstrate research-repository tagging/synthesis on a real intelligence gathering decision?

02

What observable evidence distinguishes competent performance from confident explanation?

03

Which anchor skill depends on this capability, and how would a gap surface in delivery?

01 · Prompting

Can use research-repository tagging/synthesis with a defined task, suitable inputs, and a basic validation check.

02 · Directing

Can diagnose weak output, redirect the work, combine sources, and explain the resulting trade-off.

03 · Orchestrating

Can decide when not to delegate, own the human checkpoint, and remain accountable for the outcome.