@ckelsoe/prompt-architect 3.0.0

package/skills/prompt-architect/references/frameworks/tidd-ec.md

@@ -0,0 +1,470 @@
+# TIDD-EC Framework
+
+## Overview
+
+TIDD-EC is a precision-focused prompt engineering framework that excels in providing clear boundaries and actionable guidance through explicit "Dos and Don'ts." Originally documented alongside CO-STAR, it emphasizes clarity and specificity in task execution, making it ideal for tasks requiring detailed instructions and explicit constraints.
+
+**Key Strength**: Explicit positive (Do) and negative (Don't) guidance prevents errors and misinterpretations.
+
+## Components
+
+### T - Task Type
+**Purpose:** Clearly indicate the type of activity the LLM should perform.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What kind of task is this? (analysis, generation, transformation, etc.)
+- What is the primary output type?
+- What category does this fall into?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "Task Type: Data Analysis and Summarization"
+- "Task Type: Technical Documentation Generation"
+- "Task Type: Customer Support Response"
+- "Task Type: Content Translation with Context Preservation"
+
+### I - Instructions
+**Purpose:** Outline the specific steps or guidelines to accomplish the task.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What are the exact steps to follow?
+- What methodology should be used?
+- What's the sequence of actions?
+- What standards or guidelines apply?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "Read the customer feedback, categorize by sentiment, identify top 3 themes, provide quantitative summary"
+- "Follow the company style guide for technical documentation"
+- "Use a three-paragraph structure: problem, solution, next steps"
+
+### D - Do
+**Purpose:** Specify actions the LLM should take, language to use, structures to include, and information that must be present.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What MUST be included in the response?
+- What language or terminology should be used?
+- What structure should be followed?
+- What tone or style is required?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "DO use professional, empathetic language"
+- "DO include specific metrics and data points"
+- "DO cite sources for all factual claims"
+- "DO start with an executive summary"
+- "DO use bullet points for lists over 3 items"
+
+### D - Don't
+**Purpose:** Highlight actions or elements to avoid, preventing common errors or misinterpretations.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What should absolutely NOT be included?
+- What mistakes should be avoided?
+- What language or approaches are inappropriate?
+- What common errors need prevention?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "DON'T use technical jargon without explanation"
+- "DON'T make assumptions about user expertise"
+- "DON'T include information older than 6 months"
+- "DON'T exceed 500 words"
+- "DON'T use passive voice"
+
+### E - Examples
+**Purpose:** Provide concrete examples of desired outcomes or responses.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What does good output look like?
+- Can you show 2-3 reference examples?
+- What format should be followed?
+- What quality level is expected?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "Example of good response: [detailed example]"
+- "See attached sample reports for formatting"
+- "Similar to our previous Q3 analysis format"
+
+### C - Context (User Content)
+**Purpose:** Provide data or background information for the LLM to reference.
+
+**Questions to Ask:**
+- What background information is needed?
+- What data is being provided?
+- What context affects the task?
+- What constraints exist in the situation?
+
+**Examples:**
+- "Context: This is for a B2B SaaS company in healthcare sector"
+- "User Content: Attached customer feedback CSV with 500 entries"
+- "Background: Previous campaign had 15% conversion rate"
+
+## Template Structure
+
+```
+TASK TYPE:
+[Clear indication of activity type]
+
+INSTRUCTIONS:
+[Specific steps and guidelines]
+1. [Step 1]
+2. [Step 2]
+3. [Continue...]
+
+DO:
+- [Action or element to include]
+- [Required approach or language]
+- [Structure to follow]
+
+DON'T:
+- [Action or element to avoid]
+- [Error to prevent]
+- [Inappropriate approach]
+
+EXAMPLES:
+[Concrete examples of desired outcome]
+Example 1: [...]
+Example 2: [...]
+
+CONTEXT:
+[Background information and user-provided content]
+```
+
+## Complete Example
+
+### Before TIDD-EC:
+"Help with customer complaint response."
+
+### After TIDD-EC:
+```
+TASK TYPE:
+Customer Support Response - Complaint Resolution
+
+INSTRUCTIONS:
+1. Acknowledge the customer's frustration and validate their concern
+2. Apologize for the inconvenience caused
+3. Explain what happened (if known) in simple terms
+4. Provide a concrete solution or next steps
+5. Include timeline for resolution
+6. Offer additional support contact information
+
+DO:
+- Use empathetic, professional language
+- Personalize the response with customer name
+- Provide specific action items with timeframes
+- Include direct contact information for follow-up
+- Express genuine concern for their experience
+- Keep response between 150-250 words
+
+DON'T:
+- Make excuses or deflect blame
+- Use template language that sounds robotic
+- Make promises you can't keep
+- Include technical jargon or system error codes
+- Use passive voice ("mistakes were made")
+- Exceed 250 words or write less than 150
+
+EXAMPLES:
+Example 1 - Good Response:
+"Dear Sarah, I'm truly sorry that your order arrived damaged. I understand how
+frustrating this must be, especially since you needed it for this weekend's event.
+This happened because of a packaging error in our warehouse. Here's what I'm doing
+to fix this: (1) I'm sending a replacement via overnight shipping at no charge -
+you'll have it by Friday 2 PM, (2) You'll receive a full refund for the original
+order within 24 hours. If you have any concerns, please reach me directly at
+sarah.smith@company.com or 555-1234. We value your business and will make this right."
+
+Example 2 - Bad Response (What to Avoid):
+"We apologize for any inconvenience. Due to system errors, your order was damaged.
+Please contact our support team for further assistance. Ticket #12345."
+
+CONTEXT:
+- Company: E-commerce retailer specializing in home goods
+- Customer: Premium member who shops regularly
+- Issue: Damaged item received, needed for event
+- Previous interactions: Generally positive, 4.5/5 satisfaction rating
+- Company policy: Full refunds + replacement for damaged items
+```
+
+## Best Use Cases
+
+### 1. Customer Support & Chatbots ✅
+**Why TIDD-EC Excels:**
+- Explicit dos/don'ts prevent common customer service mistakes
+- Examples ensure consistent tone and quality
+- Clear boundaries improve response accuracy
+
+**Example Scenarios:**
+- Complaint resolution
+- Product inquiries
+- Refund requests
+- Technical support responses
+
+### 2. Data Analysis & Reporting ✅
+**Why TIDD-EC Excels:**
+- Structured approach ensures completeness
+- Dos/don'ts prevent analytical errors
+- Examples standardize report format
+
+**Example Scenarios:**
+- Market research summaries
+- Social media analysis
+- Competitive intelligence reports
+- Survey data interpretation
+
+### 3. Technical Documentation ✅
+**Why TIDD-EC Excels:**
+- Clear instructions ensure consistency
+- Don'ts prevent common documentation errors
+- Examples show proper format and depth
+
+**Example Scenarios:**
+- API documentation
+- User guides
+- Installation instructions
+- Troubleshooting guides
+
+### 4. Content Translation ✅
+**Why TIDD-EC Excels:**
+- Dos specify required preservation (tone, meaning)
+- Don'ts prevent cultural missteps
+- Context ensures appropriate localization
+
+**Example Scenarios:**
+- Technical content translation
+- Marketing material localization
+- Legal document translation
+- Product description adaptation
+
+### 5. Constraint-Heavy Tasks ✅
+**Why TIDD-EC Excels:**
+- Explicit boundaries through dos/don'ts
+- Prevents scope creep
+- Ensures compliance with requirements
+
+**Example Scenarios:**
+- Regulatory compliance content
+- Legal document generation
+- Medical/healthcare content
+- Financial reporting
+
+## Selection Criteria
+
+### Choose TIDD-EC when:
+- ✅ Task requires very clear boundaries
+- ✅ Need to explicitly state what NOT to do
+- ✅ Common errors need prevention
+- ✅ Quality consistency is critical
+- ✅ Working with constrained domains (legal, medical, technical)
+- ✅ Explicit examples significantly improve output
+- ✅ Precision and accuracy matter more than creativity
+
+### Avoid TIDD-EC when:
+- ❌ Task is simple and straightforward (use RTF)
+- ❌ Creative freedom is more important than constraints
+- ❌ Open-ended exploration is the goal
+- ❌ Dos/don'ts would limit beneficial creativity
+- ❌ Task doesn't have clear right/wrong approaches
+
+## TIDD-EC vs. Other Frameworks
+
+### TIDD-EC vs. CO-STAR
+
+| Aspect | TIDD-EC | CO-STAR |
+|--------|---------|---------|
+| **Focus** | Precision & boundaries | Communication & audience |
+| **Unique Strength** | Explicit dos/don'ts | Tone & audience targeting |
+| **Best For** | Constrained tasks | Content creation |
+| **Creativity** | More constrained | More flexible |
+| **Error Prevention** | Explicit | Implicit |
+
+**Use TIDD-EC for**: Technical tasks, customer support, data analysis
+**Use CO-STAR for**: Marketing content, blog posts, creative writing
+
+### TIDD-EC vs. RISEN
+
+| Aspect | TIDD-EC | RISEN |
+|--------|---------|-------|
+| **Focus** | Explicit guidance | Process & methodology |
+| **Constraints** | Dos/Don'ts | Narrowing |
+| **Examples** | Required component | Not required |
+| **Best For** | High-precision tasks | Multi-step processes |
+
+**Use TIDD-EC for**: Tasks requiring explicit positive/negative guidance
+**Use RISEN for**: Complex workflows with sequential steps
+
+### TIDD-EC vs. RISE-IE
+
+| Aspect | TIDD-EC | RISE-IE |
+|--------|---------|---------|
+| **Focus** | Precision guidance | Data transformation |
+| **Input Spec** | Context component | Input component |
+| **Constraints** | Dos/Don'ts | Expectations |
+| **Best For** | Constrained tasks | Analytical tasks |
+
+**Use TIDD-EC for**: When explicit dos/don'ts add value
+**Use RISE-IE for**: Standard data processing without heavy constraints
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+### 1. Vague Dos/Don'ts
+**Bad**:
+- DO: "Be professional"
+- DON'T: "Make errors"
+
+**Good**:
+- DO: "Use formal language, address customer by name, include specific metrics"
+- DON'T: "Use contractions, include unverified information, exceed 300 words"
+
+### 2. Contradictory Instructions
+**Bad**:
+```
+DO: Be comprehensive and thorough
+DON'T: Exceed 100 words
+```
+
+**Good**:
+```
+DO: Include top 3 key points with supporting data
+DON'T: Include tangential information or exceed 150 words
+```
+
+### 3. Missing Context
+**Bad**:
+```
+CONTEXT: Customer complaint
+```
+
+**Good**:
+```
+CONTEXT:
+- Customer: Premium subscriber, 2 years
+- Issue: Billing error, overcharged $50
+- Previous contact: Positive interactions
+- Company policy: Full refund + 10% credit for errors
+```
+
+### 4. Generic Examples
+**Bad**:
+```
+EXAMPLES: Write a good response
+```
+
+**Good**:
+```
+EXAMPLES:
+"Dear John, I've reviewed your account and I see exactly what happened. Due to
+a system error, you were charged twice for your March subscription. I've immediately
+processed a $50 refund to your original payment method (arrives in 3-5 business days)
+and added a $5 account credit as an apology. This won't happen again - we've fixed
+the system issue. Please let me know if you have any questions. - Sarah"
+```
+
+## Tips for Effective Use
+
+### 1. Make Dos/Don'ts Specific
+- Instead of "use good grammar" → "avoid sentence fragments, use active voice, check spelling"
+- Instead of "be clear" → "define technical terms, use numbered lists, include headers"
+
+### 2. Provide Concrete Examples
+- Show both good and bad examples when helpful
+- Include real or realistic examples, not abstract descriptions
+- Match examples to the exact task type
+
+### 3. Balance Constraints
+- Enough guidance to prevent errors
+- Not so many restrictions that creativity is stifled
+- Focus dos/don'ts on high-impact areas
+
+### 4. Use Context Effectively
+- Include relevant background that affects the task
+- Provide data or information the LLM needs to reference
+- Mention constraints from the business/domain context
+
+## Variations and Combinations
+
+### TIDD-EC + Chain of Thought
+For analytical tasks requiring both precision and reasoning:
+```
+[Standard TIDD-EC structure]
+
+ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION:
+Show your reasoning step-by-step before providing the final answer.
+```
+
+### TIDD-EC Light (TIDD)
+For simpler tasks that don't need all components:
+```
+TASK TYPE: [task]
+INSTRUCTIONS: [steps]
+DO: [requirements]
+DON'T: [restrictions]
+```
+(Omit Examples and Context if not needed)
+
+### TIDD-EC + Style Guide
+For content requiring adherence to brand standards:
+```
+[Standard TIDD-EC structure]
+
+STYLE GUIDE:
+- Tone: [specific tone]
+- Voice: [first person / third person / etc.]
+- Terminology: [approved terms list]
+```
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+| Component | Focus | Key Question |
+|-----------|-------|--------------|
+| **T**ask Type | Category | "What kind of task is this?" |
+| **I**nstructions | Steps | "What are the exact steps?" |
+| **D**o | Requirements | "What MUST be included?" |
+| **D**on't | Restrictions | "What must be AVOIDED?" |
+| **E**xamples | Samples | "What does good look like?" |
+| **C**ontext | Background | "What information is relevant?" |
+
+## Assessment Checklist
+
+When applying TIDD-EC, verify:
+- [ ] Task type clearly defines the activity category
+- [ ] Instructions are specific and sequential
+- [ ] Dos specify concrete actions and requirements
+- [ ] Don'ts prevent specific errors or approaches
+- [ ] Dos and don'ts don't contradict each other
+- [ ] Examples are concrete and realistic
+- [ ] Examples match the task type and requirements
+- [ ] Context provides necessary background
+- [ ] Context includes relevant constraints
+- [ ] All components work together coherently
+
+## Research Sources
+
+Based on authoritative sources documenting TIDD-EC alongside CO-STAR:
+
+1. **Mastering Prompt Engineering: A Guide to the CO-STAR and TIDD-EC Frameworks** - Vivas.AI, Medium
+   - [https://vivasai01.medium.com/mastering-prompt-engineering-a-guide-to-the-co-star-and-tidd-ec-frameworks-3334588cb908](https://vivasai01.medium.com/mastering-prompt-engineering-a-guide-to-the-co-star-and-tidd-ec-frameworks-3334588cb908)
+
+2. **Mastering Prompt Engineering: A Guide to the CO-STAR and TIDD-EC Frameworks** - GPT Teams
+   - [https://gptteams.ai/articles/mastering-prompt-engineering-a-guide-to-the-co-star-and-tidd-ec-frameworks](https://gptteams.ai/articles/mastering-prompt-engineering-a-guide-to-the-co-star-and-tidd-ec-frameworks)
+
+3. **In conversation with AI - when Prompt Engineering meets Linguistics** - Scott Logic Blog
+   - [https://blog.scottlogic.com/2024/07/12/when-prompt-engineering-meets-linguistics.html](https://blog.scottlogic.com/2024/07/12/when-prompt-engineering-meets-linguistics.html)
+
+## Key Takeaways
+
+1. ✅ TIDD-EC excels in high-precision tasks requiring clear boundaries
+2. ✅ The explicit "Dos and Don'ts" structure prevents common errors
+3. ✅ Ideal for customer support, data analysis, technical documentation
+4. ✅ Examples component ensures quality consistency
+5. ✅ More constrained than CO-STAR, more explicit than RISEN
+6. ✅ Best when accuracy and compliance matter more than creativity
+7. ⚠️ Can be overkill for simple tasks or creative work
+
+## Summary
+
+TIDD-EC is a precision-focused framework that shines in scenarios requiring:
+- **Explicit boundaries** (dos and don'ts)
+- **Error prevention** (common mistakes explicitly avoided)
+- **Quality consistency** (examples set standards)
+- **Clear task definition** (task type categorization)
+- **Complete context** (background information provided)
+
+Use TIDD-EC when the cost of errors is high, precision matters more than creativity, and you can clearly articulate both what should and shouldn't be done.