Pattern Analysis
Identify signals → classify patterns → validate with evidence → document for reuse.
<when_to_use>
- Recognizing recurring themes in work or data
- Codifying best practices from experience
- Extracting workflows from repeated success
- Identifying anti-patterns from repeated failures
- Building decision frameworks from observations
NOT for: single occurrences, unvalidated hunches, premature abstraction
</when_to_use>
<signal_identification>
Watch for these signal categories:
| Category | Watch For | Indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Completion, positive feedback, repetition, efficiency | Pattern worth codifying |
| Frustration | Backtracking, clarification loops, rework, confusion | Anti-pattern to document |
| Workflow | Sequence consistency, decision points, quality gates | Process pattern |
| Orchestration | Multi-component coordination, state management, routing | Coordination pattern |
See signal-types.md for detailed taxonomy.
</signal_identification>
<pattern_classification>
Four primary pattern types:
| Type | Characteristics | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow | Sequential phases, clear transitions, quality gates | Process has ordered steps |
| Orchestration | Coordinates components, manages state, routes work | Multiple actors involved |
| Heuristic | Condition → action mapping, context-sensitive | Repeated decisions |
| Anti-Pattern | Common mistake, causes rework, has better alternative | Preventing failures |
See pattern-types.md for templates and examples.
</pattern_classification>
<evidence_thresholds>
Codification Criteria
Don't codify after first occurrence. Require:
- 3+ instances — minimum repetition to establish pattern
- Multiple contexts — works across different scenarios
- Clear boundaries — know when to apply vs not apply
- Measurable benefit — improves outcome compared to ad-hoc approach
Quality Indicators
| Strong Pattern | Weak Pattern |
|---|---|
| Consistent structure | Varies each use |
| Transferable to others | Requires specific expertise |
| Handles edge cases | Breaks on deviation |
| Saves time/effort | Overhead exceeds value |
</evidence_thresholds>
<progressive_formalization>
Observation (1-2 instances):
- Note for future reference
- "This worked well, watch for recurrence"
Hypothesis (3+ instances):
- Draft informal guideline
- Test consciously in next case
Codification (validated pattern):
- Create formal documentation
- Include examples and constraints
Refinement (ongoing):
- Update based on usage
- Add edge cases
</progressive_formalization>
Loop: Observe → Classify → Validate → Document
- Collect signals — note successes, failures, recurring behaviors
- Classify pattern type — workflow, orchestration, heuristic, anti-pattern
- Check evidence threshold — 3+ instances? Multiple contexts?
- Extract quality criteria — what makes it work?
- Document pattern — name, when, what, why
- Test deliberately — apply consciously, track variance
- Refine — adjust based on feedback
ALWAYS:
- Require 3+ instances before codifying
- Validate across multiple contexts
- Document both when to use AND when not to
- Include concrete examples
- Track pattern effectiveness over time
NEVER:
- Codify after single occurrence
- Abstract without evidence
- Ignore context-sensitivity
- Skip validation step
- Assume transferability without testing
Deep-dive documentation:
- signal-types.md — detailed signal taxonomy
- pattern-types.md — pattern templates and examples
Related skills:
- patternify — pattern discovery from conversations
- codebase-analysis — uses pattern analysis for code investigation
- report-findings — presenting discovered patterns