By name: Bootstrap Learning description: Build structured expertise on any unfamiliar topic through progressive discovery, from high-level overview to deep understanding.
Purpose
Go from "I know nothing about X" to "I have a structured understanding of X" through systematic learning. This skill is the starting point when entering an unfamiliar domain, industry, or topic.
Steps
- Start with the "5 W's" framing: What is this? Who uses it? Why does it matter? Where does it apply? When did it emerge?
- Identify the domain's core concepts (aim for 5-10 foundational terms)
- Map relationships between concepts: what depends on what?
- Search organizational knowledge (emails, documents, SharePoint) for internal expertise on the topic
- Conduct Deep Research for external context: industry standards, best practices, key players
- Build a glossary document: term, definition, why it matters, example
- Identify the top 3 open questions the organization should answer about this topic
- Create a structured Word document:
- Domain overview (2-3 paragraphs)
- Concept map (table of core concepts and relationships)
- Glossary (terms with definitions)
- Key findings from research
- Open questions for follow-up
- Flag confidence levels: what you're sure about, what needs validation, what is still unknown
Progressive Depth Model
| Level | Goal | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Orientation | Understand what the domain is | 1-page overview |
| Level 2: Structure | Map core concepts and relationships | Concept table + glossary |
| Level 3: Context | Understand how the organization relates to this domain | Internal knowledge synthesis |
| Level 4: Depth | Detailed understanding of specific sub-topics | Targeted research reports |
Start at Level 1 and go deeper only as needed.
Knowledge Assessment
After research, rate confidence:
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| High | Multiple sources confirm, internally validated |
| Medium | Credible sources but not internally validated |
| Low | Single source or conflicting information |
| Unknown | No information found, flagged for human input |
Output Format
- Word document with overview, concept map, glossary, and findings
- Confidence ratings on all claims
- Open questions listed at the end with [NEEDS FOLLOW-UP]
Guidelines
- Start broad, go narrow. Never deep-dive before understanding context.
- The goal is structured understanding, not exhaustive coverage
- It's better to know what you don't know than to guess
- Flag every assumption and unvalidated claim
- Use tables and lists, not prose, for concept maps and glossaries
- Revisit and update the learning document as the project progresses