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method-selection Selects the appropriate research framework and analytical tools for biomedical, market, investment, CMC/GMP, clinical, R&D, BD, and management consulting topics instead of defaulting to MECE or McKinsey-style framing.

Method Selection

Use this skill before Phase 0-1 framing and whenever the user changes the report purpose.

Principle

Do not default to McKinsey/MECE. MECE, SCQA, and pyramid writing are useful communication tools, not universal research methods.

Select the method based on:

  • report purpose
  • audience
  • decision to support
  • available materials
  • evidence type
  • regulatory or scientific risk
  • output format

Method Router

Market, investment, or commercial strategy

Use when the user asks about market opportunity, competition, investment thesis, BD opportunity, pricing, or commercialization.

Methods and tools:

  • market sizing: TAM/SAM/SOM, bottom-up demand model, volume-price bridge
  • competitive landscape: segmentation, product differentiation, launch timing, share shifts
  • value chain: upstream supply, manufacturing bottlenecks, channel economics
  • investment: thesis tree, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, risk-adjusted NPV where feasible
  • transaction/BD: deal comps, licensing terms, patent cliff, strategic fit

Outputs:

  • market map
  • competitor table
  • assumptions ledger
  • upside/base/downside scenarios

Clinical, translational, or evidence review

Use when the topic is efficacy, safety, trial design, disease area, standard of care, biomarker, or clinical development.

Methods and tools:

  • PICO or PICOTS framing
  • evidence hierarchy
  • endpoint and comparator analysis
  • trial design critique
  • TPP and go/no-go criteria
  • benefit-risk assessment

Outputs:

  • clinical evidence matrix
  • trial landscape
  • endpoint comparability table
  • evidence gaps and patient-selection risks

CMC, GMP, quality, or manufacturing operations

Use when the topic involves process development, tech transfer, validation, inspection readiness, deviations, CAPA, sterility assurance, supply chain, or manufacturing risk.

Methods and tools:

  • ICH / FDA / EMA / NMPA regulatory baseline mapping
  • gap assessment
  • FMEA or risk matrix
  • process validation lifecycle
  • control strategy mapping
  • deviation/CAPA effectiveness review
  • data integrity assessment

Outputs:

  • gap register
  • risk heatmap
  • CAPA prioritization
  • control strategy map
  • readiness scorecard

R&D feasibility or technology assessment

Use when the topic asks whether a technology, target, modality, platform, assay, or process is feasible.

Methods and tools:

  • technology readiness level
  • critical path analysis
  • mechanism and modality fit
  • experiment roadmap
  • scale-up risk assessment
  • IP and freedom-to-operate screening

Outputs:

  • feasibility scorecard
  • key experiments
  • kill criteria
  • technical risk register

Management, organization, or operating model

Use when the topic involves organization, governance, operating cadence, capability building, performance management, or transformation.

Methods and tools:

  • issue tree
  • operating model design
  • RACI / decision rights
  • KPI tree
  • process maturity assessment
  • change management roadmap

Outputs:

  • operating model options
  • capability gap assessment
  • implementation roadmap
  • KPI and governance model

Policy, regulation, or access environment

Use when the topic asks about policy, reimbursement, regulatory pathways, pricing access, or regional rules.

Methods and tools:

  • policy timeline
  • stakeholder map
  • regulatory pathway comparison
  • access and reimbursement framework
  • scenario analysis by jurisdiction

Outputs:

  • jurisdiction comparison
  • policy impact map
  • regulatory milestone table
  • access risks

Phase 0-1 Output Requirements

Write a method decision note in phase1/research_brief.md:

  • selected method
  • why it fits
  • methods rejected and why
  • evidence types needed
  • search routes
  • expected output artifacts

If the topic spans multiple scenarios, combine methods explicitly and define which chapters use which method.