The current framework is a working hypothesis. Every interview, case, disagreement, and failed explanation should have the ability to change it.

1. 01Observe the situation.
2. 02Describe what is happening without prematurely naming the cause.
3. 03Generate competing explanations.
4. 04Seek distinguishing evidence.
5. 05Estimate confidence.
6. 06Choose an intervention.
7. 07Observe the system response.
8. 08Update the mental model.
9. 09Repeat.

Every step in the current cycle is author synthesis: reasoned from operational experience, established theory, and the published essay. No step has yet been tested against expert interviews or Collection Lab sessions.

A research framework earns trust by showing its uncertainty, not by hiding it. As interviews and Collection Lab sessions accumulate, each step will link to the evidence that supports or challenges it — and steps that the evidence contradicts will change or be removed.