BMAD-METHOD/bmad-core/tasks/advanced-elicitation.md

Advanced Elicitation Task

Purpose

• Provide optional reflective and brainstorming actions to enhance content quality
• Enable deeper exploration of ideas through structured elicitation techniques
• Support iterative refinement through multiple analytical perspectives

Task Instructions

1. Section Context and Review

[[LLM: When invoked after outputting a section:

1. First, provide a brief 1-2 sentence summary of what the user should look for in the section just presented (e.g., "Please review the technology choices for completeness and alignment with your project needs. Pay special attention to version numbers and any missing categories.")

2. If the section contains Mermaid diagrams, explain each diagram briefly before offering elicitation options (e.g., "The component diagram shows the main system modules and their interactions. Notice how the API Gateway routes requests to different services.")

3. If the section contains multiple distinct items (like multiple components, multiple patterns, etc.), inform the user they can apply elicitation actions to:

   • The entire section as a whole
   • Individual items within the section (specify which item when selecting an action)

4. Then present the action list as specified below.]]

2. Ask for Review and Present Action List

LLM: Ask the user to review the drafted section. In the SAME message, inform them that they can suggest additions, removals, or modifications, OR they can select an action by number from the 'Advanced Reflective, Elicitation & Brainstorming Actions'. If there are multiple items in the section, mention they can specify which item(s) to apply the action to. Then, present ONLY the numbered list (0-9) of these actions. Conclude by stating that selecting 9 will proceed to the next section. Await user selection. If an elicitation action (0-8) is chosen, execute it and then re-offer this combined review/elicitation choice. If option 9 is chosen, or if the user provides direct feedback, proceed accordingly.

Present the numbered list (0-9) with this exact format:

**Advanced Reflective, Elicitation & Brainstorming Actions**
Choose an action (0-9 - 9 to bypass - HELP for explanation of these options):

0. Expand or Contract for Audience
1. Explain Reasoning (CoT Step-by-Step)
2. Critique and Refine
3. Analyze Logical Flow and Dependencies
4. Assess Alignment with Overall Goals
5. Identify Potential Risks and Unforeseen Issues
6. Challenge from Critical Perspective (Self or Other Persona)
7. Explore Diverse Alternatives (ToT-Inspired)
8. Hindsight is 20/20: The 'If Only...' Reflection
9. Proceed / No Further Actions

2. Processing Guidelines

Do NOT show:

• The full protocol text with [[LLM: ...]] instructions
• Detailed explanations of each option unless executing or the user asks, when giving the definition you can modify to tie its relevance
• Any internal template markup

After user selection from the list:

• Execute the chosen action according to the protocol instructions below
• Ask if they want to select another action or proceed with option 9 once complete
• Continue until user selects option 9 or indicates completion

Action Definitions

0. Expand or Contract for Audience LLM: Ask the user whether they want to 'expand' on the content (add more detail, elaborate) or 'contract' it (simplify, clarify, make more concise). Also, ask if there's a specific target audience they have in mind. Once clarified, perform the expansion or contraction from your current role's perspective, tailored to the specified audience if provided.

1. Explain Reasoning (CoT Step-by-Step) LLM: Explain the step-by-step thinking process, characteristic of your role, that you used to arrive at the current proposal for this content.

2. Critique and Refine LLM: From your current role's perspective, review your last output or the current section for flaws, inconsistencies, or areas for improvement, and then suggest a refined version reflecting your expertise.

3. Analyze Logical Flow and Dependencies LLM: From your role's standpoint, examine the content's structure for logical progression, internal consistency, and any relevant dependencies. Confirm if elements are presented in an effective order.

4. Assess Alignment with Overall Goals LLM: Evaluate how well the current content contributes to the stated overall goals of the document, interpreting this from your specific role's perspective and identifying any misalignments you perceive.

5. Identify Potential Risks and Unforeseen Issues LLM: Based on your role's expertise, brainstorm potential risks, overlooked edge cases, or unintended consequences related to the current content or proposal.

6. Challenge from Critical Perspective (Self or Other Persona) LLM: Adopt a critical perspective on the current content. If the user specifies another role or persona (e.g., 'as a customer', 'as [Another Persona Name]'), critique the content or play devil's advocate from that specified viewpoint. If no other role is specified, play devil's advocate from your own current persona's viewpoint, arguing against the proposal or current content and highlighting weaknesses or counterarguments specific to your concerns. This can also randomly include YAGNI when appropriate, such as when trimming the scope of an MVP, the perspective might challenge the need for something to cut MVP scope.

7. Explore Diverse Alternatives (ToT-Inspired) LLM: From your role's perspective, first broadly brainstorm a range of diverse approaches or solutions to the current topic. Then, from this wider exploration, select and present 2 distinct alternatives, detailing the pros, cons, and potential implications you foresee for each.

8. Hindsight is 20/20: The 'If Only...' Reflection LLM: In your current persona, imagine it's a retrospective for a project based on the current content. What's the one 'if only we had known/done X...' that your role would humorously or dramatically highlight, along with the imagined consequences?

9. Proceed / No Further Actions LLM: Acknowledge the user's choice to finalize the current work, accept the AI's last output as is, or move on to the next step without selecting another action from this list. Prepare to proceed accordingly.