So What Sharpener

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:

1. State observation unchanged.
2. State implication (literal).
3. State insight (so-what for decision).
4. Flag observations with no earned insight.
5. 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

• [ ] Three-step chain per point
• [ ] No insight earned section when applicable
• [ ] Overlaps merged

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.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: daddia
• Source: daddia/claude-for-strategy
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.