synthesis-frameworks

# Synthesis Frameworks

Frameworks for synthesizing qualitative research data to identify patterns, extract insights, and drive product decisions.

## Overview

Research synthesis transforms raw observations into actionable insights. Good synthesis reveals hidden patterns, validates assumptions, and informs strategic product decisions through structured analysis and collaborative sense-making.

## When to Use This Skill

**Auto-loaded by agents**:
- `research-ops` - For thematic analysis, insight generation, and research reports

**Use when you need**:
- Analyzing interview transcripts
- Synthesizing usability test findings
- Identifying user needs and pain points
- Creating research deliverables
- Documenting and communicating insights
- Running team synthesis workshops
- Pattern recognition across research data
- Translating research into actionable recommendations

## Core Synthesis Methods

### The Synthesis Process

Research synthesis follows a structured five-step process from raw data to actionable insights:

**The five steps:**
1. Immersion: Consume all raw data without judgment
2. Extraction: Identify individual observations atomically
3. Grouping: Find patterns through affinity mapping
4. Insight Generation: Ask "so what?" and connect to implications
5. Communication: Share findings in actionable formats

**Detailed template:** See `assets/synthesis-process-template.md` for step-by-step instructions, time allocation, and specific techniques for each phase.

**Time allocation:** Expect 8-16 hours total for a typical research project, with most time in grouping (30-40%) and insight generation phases.

### Affinity Mapping

Collaborative technique for organizing observations into themes through physical or digital clustering.

**When to use:**
- Team synthesis workshops
- Large amounts of qualitative data
- Need for shared understanding
- Pattern discovery (not testing hypothesis)

**Basic process:**
1. Silent note writing: Individual observation capture
2. W