diff options
| author | Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net> | 2025-11-05 12:58:56 -0600 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net> | 2025-11-05 12:58:56 -0600 |
| commit | 1ff22027df308174c033e21ca9c21882ca2c4fe8 (patch) | |
| tree | df77ec0ba868a7e2b9a6e4d08c9e281ac56b733f /docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org | |
| parent | a98320429f74fca6d9440cd56ba549aa982c0f54 (diff) | |
refactor: Rename "session" to "workflow" for documented processes
This resolves the ambiguity where "session" meant two different things:
- Working session (time period we work together)
- Documented routine/workflow (process to achieve a goal)
Changes:
- Renamed docs/sessions/ → docs/workflows/
- Renamed create-session.org → create-workflow.org
- Updated all references throughout:
- "session type" → "workflow"
- "session workflow" → "workflow"
- "session definition" → "workflow definition"
- "Available Session Types" → "Available Workflows"
Updated files:
- docs/NOTES.org - All workflow references updated
- docs/workflows/*.org - All workflow files updated with new terminology
- ~/documents/claude/NOTES.org - Template updated
- ~/documents/claude/NOTES-NEW.org - New template updated
Terminology now clear:
- "Let's run the refactor workflow" = Execute existing workflow
- "I want to create a refactor workflow" = Create new workflow definition
- "This session" = Working time period (unchanged)
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Diffstat (limited to 'docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org')
| -rw-r--r-- | docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org | 598 |
1 files changed, 598 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org b/docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org new file mode 100644 index 00000000..d6a82c0e --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/workflows/create-v2mom.org @@ -0,0 +1,598 @@ +#+TITLE: Creating a V2MOM Strategic Framework +#+AUTHOR: Craig Jennings & Claude +#+DATE: 2025-11-05 + +* Overview + +This session creates a V2MOM (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Metrics) strategic framework for any project or goal. V2MOM provides clarity for decision-making, ruthless prioritization, and measuring progress. It transforms vague intentions into concrete action plans. + +The framework originated at Salesforce and works for any domain: personal projects, business strategy, health goals, financial planning, software development, or life planning. + +* Problem We're Solving + +Without a strategic framework, projects suffer from: + +** Unclear Direction +- "Get healthier" or "improve my finances" is too vague to act on +- Every idea feels equally important +- No principled way to say "no" to distractions +- Difficult to know what to work on next + +** Priority Inflation +- Everything feels urgent or important +- Research and planning without execution +- Hard to distinguish signal from noise +- Active todo list grows beyond manageability + +** No Decision Framework +- When faced with choice between A and B, no principled way to decide +- Debates about approach waste time +- Second-guessing decisions after making them +- Perfectionism masquerading as thoroughness + +** Unmeasurable Progress +- Can't tell if work is actually making things better +- No objective way to know when you're "done" +- Metrics are either absent or vanity metrics +- Difficult to celebrate wins or identify blockers + +*Impact:* Unfocused work, slow progress, frustration, and the nagging feeling that you're always working on the wrong thing. + +* Exit Criteria + +The V2MOM is complete when: + +1. **All 5 sections are filled with concrete content:** + - Vision: Clear, aspirational picture of success + - Values: 2-4 principles that guide decisions + - Methods: 4-7 concrete approaches with specific actions + - Obstacles: Honest personal/technical challenges + - Metrics: Measurable outcomes (not vanity metrics) + +2. **You can use it for decision-making:** + - Can answer "does X fit this V2MOM?" quickly + - Provides clarity on priorities (Method 1 > Method 2 > etc.) + - Identifies what NOT to do + +3. **Both parties agree it's ready:** + - Feels complete, not rushed + - Actionable enough to start execution + - Honest about obstacles (not sugar-coated) + +*Measurable validation:* +- Can you articulate the vision in one sentence? +- Do the values help you say "no" to things? +- Are methods ordered by priority? +- Can you immediately identify 3-5 tasks from Method 1? +- Do metrics tell you if you're succeeding? + +* When to Use This Session + +Trigger this V2MOM creation workflow when: + +- Starting a significant project (new business, new habit, new system) +- Existing project has accumulated many competing priorities without clear focus +- You find yourself constantly context-switching between ideas +- Someone asks "what are you trying to accomplish?" and answer is vague +- You want to apply ruthless prioritization but lack framework +- Annual/quarterly planning for ongoing projects or life goals + +*V2MOM is particularly valuable for:* +- Personal infrastructure projects (tooling, systems, workflows) +- Health and fitness goals +- Financial planning and wealth building +- Software package development +- Business strategy +- Career development +- Any long-running project where you're making the decisions + +* Approach: How We Work Together + +** Phase 1: Understand the V2MOM Framework + +Before starting, ensure both parties understand what each section means: + +- *Vision:* What you want to achieve (aspirational, clear picture of success) +- *Values:* Principles that guide decisions (2-4 values, defined concretely) +- *Methods:* How you'll achieve the vision (4-7 approaches, ordered by priority) +- *Obstacles:* What's in your way (honest, personal, specific) +- *Metrics:* How you'll measure success (objective, not vanity metrics) + +*Important:* V2MOM sections are completed IN ORDER. Vision informs Values. Values inform Methods. Methods reveal Obstacles. Everything together defines Metrics. + +** Phase 2: Create the Document Structure + +1. Create file: =docs/[project-name]-v2mom.org= or appropriate location +2. Add metadata: #+TITLE, #+AUTHOR, #+DATE, #+FILETAGS +3. Create section headings for all 5 components +4. Add "What is V2MOM?" overview section at top + +*Save incrementally:* V2MOM discussions can be lengthy. Save after completing each section to prevent data loss. + +** Phase 3: Define the Vision + +*Ask:* "What do you want to achieve? What does success look like?" + +*Goal:* Get a clear, aspirational picture. Should be 1-3 paragraphs describing the end state. + +*Claude's role:* +- Help articulate what's described +- Push for specificity ("works great" → what specifically works?) +- Identify scope (what's included, what's explicitly out of scope) +- Capture concrete examples mentioned + +*Good vision characteristics:* +- Paints a picture you can visualize +- Describes outcomes, not implementation +- Aspirational but grounded in reality +- Specific enough to know what's included + +*Examples across domains:* +- Health: "Wake up with energy, complete a 5K without stopping, feel strong in daily activities, and have stable mood throughout the day" +- Finance: "Six months emergency fund, debt-free except mortgage, automatic retirement savings, and financial decisions that don't cause anxiety" +- Software: "A package that integrates seamlessly, has comprehensive documentation, handles edge cases gracefully, and maintainers of other packages want to depend on" + +*Time estimate:* 15-30 minutes if vision is mostly clear; 45-60 minutes if needs exploration + +** Phase 4: Define the Values + +*Ask:* "What principles guide your decisions? When faced with choice A vs B, what values help you decide?" + +*Goal:* Identify 2-4 values with concrete definitions and examples. + +*Claude's role:* +- Suggest values based on vision discussion +- Push for concrete definitions (not just the word, but what it MEANS) +- Help distinguish between overlapping values +- Identify when examples contradict stated values + +*Common pitfall:* Listing generic words without defining them. +- Bad: "Quality, Speed, Innovation" +- Good: "Sustainable means can maintain this for 10+ years without burning out. No crash diets, no 80-hour weeks, no technical debt I can't service." + +*For each value, capture:* +1. **The value name** (1-2 words) +2. **Definition** (what this means in context of this project) +3. **Concrete examples** (how this manifests) +4. **What breaks this value** (anti-patterns) + +*Method:* +- Start with 3-5 candidate values +- For each one, ask: "What does [value] mean to you in this context?" +- Discuss until definition is concrete +- Write definition with examples +- Refine/merge/remove until 2-4 remain + +*Examples across domains:* +- Health V2MOM: "Sustainable: Can do this at 80 years old. No extreme diets. Focus on habits that compound over decades." +- Finance V2MOM: "Automatic: Set up once, runs forever. Don't rely on willpower for recurring decisions. Automate savings and investments." +- Software V2MOM: "Boring: Use proven patterns. No clever code. Maintainable by intermediate developers. Boring is reliable." + +*Time estimate:* 30-45 minutes + +** Phase 5: Define the Methods + +*Ask:* "How will you achieve the vision? What approaches will you take?" + +*Goal:* Identify 4-7 methods (concrete approaches) ordered by priority. + +*Claude's role:* +- Extract methods from vision and values discussion +- Help order by priority (what must happen first?) +- Ensure methods are actionable (not just categories) +- Push for concrete actions under each method +- Watch for method ordering that creates dependencies + +*Structure for each method:* +1. **Method name** (verb phrase: "Build X", "Eliminate Y", "Establish Z") +2. **Aspirational description** (1-2 sentences: why this matters) +3. **Concrete actions** (bulleted list: specific things to do) + +*Method ordering matters:* +- Method 1 should be highest priority (blocking everything else) +- Lower-numbered methods should enable higher-numbered ones +- Common patterns: + - Fix → Stabilize → Build → Enhance → Sustain + - Eliminate → Replace → Optimize → Automate → Maintain + - Learn → Practice → Apply → Teach → Systematize + +*Examples across domains:* + +Health V2MOM: +- Method 1: Eliminate Daily Energy Drains (fix sleep, reduce inflammatory foods, address vitamin deficiencies) +- Method 2: Build Baseline Strength (3x/week resistance training, progressive overload, focus on compound movements) +- Method 3: Establish Sustainable Nutrition (meal prep system, protein targets, vegetable servings) + +Finance V2MOM: +- Method 1: Stop the Bleeding (identify and eliminate wasteful subscriptions, high-interest debt, impulse purchases) +- Method 2: Build the Safety Net (automate savings, reach $1000 emergency fund, then 3 months expenses) +- Method 3: Invest for the Future (max employer 401k match, open IRA, set automatic contributions) + +Software Package V2MOM: +- Method 1: Nail the Core Use Case (solve one problem extremely well, clear documentation, handles errors gracefully) +- Method 2: Ensure Quality and Stability (comprehensive test suite, CI/CD, semantic versioning) +- Method 3: Build Community and Documentation (contribution guide, examples, responsive to issues) + +*Important:* Each method should have 3-8 concrete actions listed. If you can't list concrete actions, the method is too vague. + +*Time estimate:* 45-90 minutes (longest section) + +** Phase 6: Identify the Obstacles + +*Ask:* "What's in your way? What makes this hard?" + +*Goal:* Honest, specific obstacles (both personal and technical/external). + +*Claude's role:* +- Encourage honesty (obstacles are not failures, they're reality) +- Help distinguish between symptoms and root causes +- Identify patterns in behavior that create obstacles +- Acknowledge challenges without judgment + +*Good obstacle characteristics:* +- Honest about personal patterns +- Specific, not generic +- Acknowledges both internal and external obstacles +- States real stakes (not just "might happen") + +*Common obstacle categories:* +- Personal: perfectionism, hard to say no, gets bored, procrastinates +- Knowledge: missing skills, unclear how to proceed, need to learn +- External: limited time, limited budget, competing priorities +- Systemic: environmental constraints, lack of tools, dependencies on others + +*For each obstacle:* +- Name it clearly +- Describe how it manifests in this project +- Acknowledge the stakes (what happens because of this obstacle) + +*Examples across domains:* + +Health V2MOM obstacles: +- "I get excited about new workout programs and switch before seeing results (pattern: 6 weeks into a program)" +- "Social events involve food and alcohol - saying no feels awkward and isolating" +- "When stressed at work, I skip workouts and eat convenient junk food" + +Finance V2MOM obstacles: +- "Viewing budget as restriction rather than freedom - triggers rebellion and impulse spending" +- "Fear of missing out on lifestyle experiences my peers have" +- "Limited financial literacy - don't understand investing beyond 'put money in account'" + +Software Package V2MOM obstacles: +- "Perfectionism delays releases - always 'one more feature' before v1.0" +- "Maintaining documentation feels boring compared to writing features" +- "Limited time (2-4 hours/week) and competing projects" + +*Time estimate:* 15-30 minutes + +** Phase 7: Define the Metrics + +*Ask:* "How will you measure success? What numbers tell you if this is working?" + +*Goal:* 5-10 metrics that are objective, measurable, and aligned with vision/values. + +*Claude's role:* +- Suggest metrics based on vision, values, and methods +- Push for measurable numbers (not "better", but concrete targets) +- Identify vanity metrics (look good but don't measure real progress) +- Ensure metrics align with values and methods + +*Metric categories:* +- **Performance metrics:** Measurable outcomes of the work +- **Discipline metrics:** Process adherence, consistency, focus +- **Quality metrics:** Standards maintained, sustainability indicators + +*Good metric characteristics:* +- Objective (not subjective opinion) +- Measurable (can actually collect the data) +- Actionable (can change behavior to improve it) +- Aligned with values and methods + +*For each metric:* +- Name it clearly +- Specify current state (if known) +- Specify target state +- Describe how to measure it +- Specify measurement frequency + +*Examples across domains:* + +Health V2MOM metrics: +- Resting heart rate: 70 bpm → 60 bpm (measure: daily via fitness tracker) +- Workout consistency: 3x/week strength training for 12 consecutive weeks +- Sleep quality: 7+ hours per night 6+ nights per week (measure: sleep tracker) +- Energy rating: subjective 1-10 scale, target 7+ average over week + +Finance V2MOM metrics: +- Emergency fund: $0 → $6000 (measure: monthly) +- High-interest debt: $8000 → $0 (measure: monthly) +- Savings rate: 5% → 20% of gross income (measure: monthly) +- Financial anxiety: weekly check-in, target "comfortable with financial decisions" + +Software Package V2MOM metrics: +- Test coverage: 0% → 80% (measure: coverage tool) +- Issue response time: median < 48 hours (measure: GitHub stats) +- Documentation completeness: all public APIs documented with examples +- Adoption: 10+ GitHub stars, 3+ projects depending on it + +*Time estimate:* 20-30 minutes + +** Phase 8: Review and Refine + +Once all sections are complete, review the whole V2MOM together: + +*Ask together:* +1. **Does the vision excite you?** (If not, why not? What's missing?) +2. **Do the values guide decisions?** (Can you use them to say no to things?) +3. **Are the methods ordered by priority?** (Is Method 1 truly most important?) +4. **Are the obstacles honest?** (Or are you sugar-coating?) +5. **Will the metrics tell you if you're succeeding?** (Or are they vanity metrics?) +6. **Does this V2MOM make you want to DO THE WORK?** (If not, something is wrong) + +*Refinement:* +- Merge overlapping methods +- Reorder methods if priorities are wrong +- Add missing concrete actions +- Strengthen weak definitions +- Remove fluff + +*Red flags:* +- Vision doesn't excite you → Need to dig deeper into what you really want +- Values are generic → Need concrete definitions and examples +- Methods have no concrete actions → Too vague, need specifics +- Obstacles are all external → Need honesty about personal patterns +- Metrics are subjective → Need objective measurements + +** Phase 9: Commit and Use + +Once the V2MOM feels complete: + +1. **Save the document** in appropriate location +2. **Share with stakeholders** (if applicable) +3. **Use it immediately** (start Method 1 execution or first triage) +4. **Schedule first review** (1 week out: is this working?) + +*Why use immediately:* Validates the V2MOM is practical, not theoretical. Execution reveals gaps that discussion misses. + +* Principles to Follow + +** Honesty Over Aspiration + +V2MOM requires brutal honesty, especially in Obstacles section. + +*Examples:* +- "I get bored after 6 weeks" (honest) vs "Maintaining focus is challenging" (bland) +- "I have 3 hours per week max" (honest) vs "Time is limited" (vague) +- "I impulse-spend when stressed" (honest) vs "Budget adherence needs work" (passive) + +**Honesty enables solutions.** If you can't name the obstacle, you can't overcome it. + +** Concrete Over Abstract + +Every section should have concrete examples and definitions. + +*Bad:* +- Vision: "Be successful" +- Values: "Quality, Speed, Innovation" +- Methods: "Improve things" +- Metrics: "Do better" + +*Good:* +- Vision: "Complete a 5K in under 30 minutes, have energy to play with kids after work, sleep 7+ hours consistently" +- Values: "Sustainable: Can maintain for 10+ years. No crash diets, no injury-risking overtraining." +- Methods: "Method 1: Fix sleep quality (blackout curtains, consistent bedtime, no screens 1hr before bed)" +- Metrics: "5K time: current 38min → target 29min (measure: monthly timed run)" + +** Priority Ordering is Strategic + +Method ordering determines what happens first. Get it wrong and you'll waste effort. + +*Common patterns:* +- **Fix → Build → Enhance → Sustain** (eliminate problems before building) +- **Eliminate → Replace → Optimize** (stop damage before improving) +- **Learn → Practice → Apply → Teach** (build skill progressively) + +*Why Method 1 must address the blocker:* +- If foundation is broken, can't build on it +- High-impact quick wins build momentum +- Must stop the bleeding before starting rehab + +** Methods Need Concrete Actions + +If you can't list 3-8 concrete actions for a method, it's too vague. + +*Test:* Can you start working on Method 1 immediately after completing the V2MOM? + +If answer is "I need to think about what to do first", the method needs more concrete actions. + +*Example:* +- Too vague: "Method 1: Improve health" +- Concrete: "Method 1: Fix sleep quality → blackout curtains, consistent 10pm bedtime, no screens after 9pm, magnesium supplement, sleep tracking" + +** Metrics Must Be Measurable + +"Better" is not a metric. "Bench press 135 lbs" is a metric. + +*For each metric, you must be able to answer:* +1. How do I measure this? (exact method or tool) +2. What's the current state? +3. What's the target state? +4. How often do I measure it? +5. What does this metric actually tell me? + +If you can't answer these, it's not a metric yet. + +** V2MOM is Living Document + +V2MOM is not set in stone. As you execute: + +- Methods may need reordering (new information reveals priorities) +- Metrics may need adjustment (too aggressive or too conservative) +- New obstacles emerge (capture them) +- Values get refined (concrete examples clarify definitions) + +*Update the V2MOM when:* +- Major priority shift occurs +- New obstacle emerges that changes approach +- Metric targets prove unrealistic or too easy +- Method completion opens new possibilities +- Quarterly review reveals misalignment + +*But don't update frivolously:* Changing the V2MOM every week defeats the purpose. Update when major shifts occur, not when minor tactics change. + +** Use It or Lose It + +V2MOM only works if you use it for decisions. + +*Use it for:* +- Weekly reviews (am I working on right things?) +- Priority decisions (which method does this serve?) +- Saying no to distractions (not in the methods) +- Celebrating wins (shipped Method 1 items!) +- Identifying blockers (obstacles getting worse?) + +*If 2 weeks pass without referencing the V2MOM, something is wrong.* Either the V2MOM isn't serving you, or you're not using it. + +* Living Document + +This is a living document. After creating V2MOMs for different projects, consider: +- Did the process work well? +- Were any sections harder than expected? +- Did we discover better questions to ask? +- Should sections be created in different order? +- What patterns emerge across different domains? + +Update this session document with learnings to make future V2MOM creation smoother. + +* Examples: V2MOMs Across Different Domains + +** Example 1: Health and Fitness V2MOM (Brief) + +*Vision:* Wake up with energy, complete 5K comfortably, feel strong in daily activities, stable mood, no afternoon crashes. + +*Values:* +- Sustainable: Can do this at 80 years old +- Compound: Small daily habits over quick fixes + +*Methods:* +1. Fix Sleep Quality (blackout curtains, consistent bedtime, track metrics) +2. Build Baseline Strength (3x/week, compound movements, progressive overload) +3. Establish Nutrition System (meal prep, protein targets, hydration) + +*Obstacles:* +- Get excited about new programs, switch before results (6-week pattern) +- Social events involve alcohol and junk food +- Skip workouts when stressed at work + +*Metrics:* +- Resting heart rate: 70 → 60 bpm +- Workout consistency: 3x/week for 12 consecutive weeks +- 5K time: 38min → 29min + +** Example 2: Financial Independence V2MOM (Brief) + +*Vision:* Six months emergency fund, debt-free except mortgage, automatic investing, financial decisions without anxiety. + +*Values:* +- Automatic: Set up once, runs forever (don't rely on willpower) +- Freedom: Budget enables choices, not restricts them + +*Methods:* +1. Stop the Bleeding (eliminate subscriptions, high-interest debt, impulse purchases) +2. Build Safety Net ($1000 emergency fund → 3 months → 6 months) +3. Automate Investing (max 401k match, IRA, automatic contributions) + +*Obstacles:* +- View budget as restriction → triggers rebellion spending +- FOMO on experiences peers have +- Limited financial literacy + +*Metrics:* +- Emergency fund: $0 → $6000 +- Savings rate: 5% → 20% +- High-interest debt: $8000 → $0 + +** Example 3: Emacs Configuration V2MOM (Detailed) + +This V2MOM was created over 2 sessions in late 2025 and led to significant improvements in config quality and maintainability. + +*** The Context + +Craig's Emacs configuration had grown to ~50+ todo items, unclear priorities, and performance issues. Config was his most-used software (email, calendar, tasks, programming, reading, music) so breakage blocked all work. + +*** The Process (2 Sessions, ~2.5 Hours Total) + +*Session 1 (2025-10-30, ~1 hour):* +- Vision: Already clear from existing draft, kept as-is +- Values: Deep Q&A to define "Intuitive", "Fast", "Simple" + - Each value got concrete definition + examples + anti-patterns + - Intuitive: muscle memory + mnemonics + which-key timing + - Fast: < 3s startup, org-agenda is THE BOTTLENECK + - Simple: production practices, simplicity produces reliability + +*Session 2 (2025-10-31, ~1.5 hours):* +- Methods: Identified 6 methods through Q&A + - Method 1: Make Using Emacs Frictionless (fix daily pain) + - Method 2: Stop Problems Before They Appear (stability) + - Method 3: Make Fixing Emacs Frictionless (tooling) + - Method 4: Contribute to Ecosystem (package maintenance) + - Method 5: Be Kind To Future Self (new features) + - Method 6: Develop Disciplined Practices (meta-method) +- Obstacles: Honest personal patterns + - "Getting irritated at mistakes and pushing on" + - "Hard to say no to fun ideas" + - "Perfectionism delays shipping" +- Metrics: Measurable outcomes + - Startup time: 6.2s → < 3s + - Org-agenda rebuild: 30s → < 5s + - Active todos: 50+ → < 20 + - Weekly triage consistency + - Research:shipped ratio > 1:1 + +*** Immediate Impact + +After completing V2MOM: +- Ruthlessly triaged 50 todos → 23 (under < 20 target) +- Archived items not serving vision to someday-maybe.org +- Immediate execution: removed network check (2s improvement!) +- Clear decision framework for weekly inbox triage +- Startup improved: 6.19s → 4.16s → 3.8s (approaching target) + +*** Key Learnings + +1. **Vision was easy:** Already had clear picture of success +2. **Values took work:** Required concrete definitions, not just words +3. **Methods needed ordering:** Priority emerged from dependency discussion +4. **Obstacles required honesty:** Hardest to name personal patterns +5. **Metrics aligned with values:** "Fast" value → fast metrics (startup, org-agenda) + +*** Why It Worked + +- V2MOM provided framework to say "no" ruthlessly +- Method ordering prevented building on broken foundation +- Metrics were objective (seconds, counts) not subjective +- Obstacles acknowledged personal patterns enabling better strategies +- Used immediately for inbox triage (validated practicality) + +* Conclusion + +Creating a V2MOM transforms vague intentions into concrete strategy. It provides: + +- **Clarity** on what you're actually trying to achieve +- **Decision framework** for ruthless prioritization +- **Measurable progress** through objective metrics +- **Honest obstacles** that can be addressed +- **Ordered methods** that build on each other + +**The framework takes 2-3 hours to create. It saves weeks of unfocused work.** + +The V2MOM works across domains because the structure is universal: +- Vision: Where am I going? +- Values: What principles guide me? +- Methods: How do I get there? +- Obstacles: What's in my way? +- Metrics: How do I know it's working? + +*Remember:* V2MOM is a tool, not a trophy. Create it, use it, update it, and let it guide your work. If you're not using it weekly, either fix the V2MOM or admit you don't need one. + +*Final test:* Can you say "no" to something you would have said "yes" to before? If so, the V2MOM is working. |
