mcpbeat

Convening Experts

oaustegard/claude-convening-experts

Convenes expert panels for problem-solving. Use when user mentions panel, experts, multiple perspectives, MECE, DMAIC, RAPID, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, strategic decisions, process improvement, or asks for philosophers/ancients (Socratic, Aristotelian, Stoic method experts).

This is a copy. The original lives at oaustegard/convening-experts.

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Install

one command, takes just this skill from the repository
npx skills add https://github.com/oaustegard/claude-skills --skill convening-experts

The instruction itself

20 sections, as written by the author

SURFACE ROUTING — read first

This skill hand-rolls subagent orchestration via raw Anthropic API calls. A

managed runtime now does the same job. Which one to use depends on your surface:

  • In Claude Code (incl. CCotw): use the native runtime, NOT this skill. If you

can invoke /deep-research, trigger a run with the workflow keyword, set

/effort ultracode, or spawn Task subagents — do that instead. The runtime gives

16-concurrent / 1000-agent ceilings, an approval gate, adversarial cross-review,

and in-session resume that this skill would otherwise reimplement badly. Dynamic

workflows shipped in research preview (Claude Code v2.1.154+, 2026).

  • In claude.ai chat or the bare API (no workflow runtime): use this skill.

Parallel API instances over httpx is the only fan-out path here. muninn_utils.dispatch

(17 pre-built lenses) already implements this panel over orchestrating-agents' execution

model — prefer it over rebuilding the panel by hand. Proceed below.

Discriminator: do you have a native subagent/Task tool or a workflow command? Yes

→ native. No → this skill. Never reimplement the runtime where it already exists.

Convening Experts

Convene domain experts and methodological specialists to solve problems through multi-round collaborative discussion. Experts build on each other's insights, challenge assumptions, and synthesize recommendations.

Panel Format

Single-Round Consultation

For simpler problems requiring multiple viewpoints:

  • Assemble panel (3-5 experts based on problem domain)
  • Each expert provides independent perspective (parallel, not sequential)
  • Synthesize recommendations with attribution

Multi-Round Discussion

For complex problems requiring collaborative reasoning:

  • Round 1: Each expert analyzes problem independently
  • Round 2: Experts respond to each other's insights, building on or challenging points
  • Round 3 (if needed): Converge on synthesis, resolve disagreements
  • Final synthesis: Integrated recommendations with decision framework

Expert Roles

Available expertise spans:

  • MSD domain experts (life sciences, engineering, manufacturing, quality, corporate functions)
  • Consulting framework specialists (strategic, process improvement, innovation, systems analysis, root cause)
  • Ancient philosopher method experts (elenchus, division-before-judgment, dichotomy of control, power analysis)

See references/msd-domain-experts.md, references/consulting-frameworks.md, and references/ancient-philosophers.md for complete role catalogs.

Claude loads relevant references based on problem domain.

Panel Convening Logic

Claude selects 3-5 experts based on problem characteristics:

Problem type → Primary expert + Supporting experts

  • Technical troubleshooting → Domain expert + Systems Thinker + Five Whys Facilitator
  • Strategic decision → McKinsey Consultant + relevant domain experts + SWOT Analyst
  • Process improvement → Six Sigma Black Belt + Lean Practitioner + domain Manufacturing Engineer
  • Product innovation → Design Thinking Facilitator + Jobs-to-Be-Done Specialist + relevant engineers
  • Root cause analysis → Domain expert + Five Whys Facilitator + Systems Thinker
  • Market positioning → Porter Framework Expert + Marketing Specialist + BCG Consultant
  • Cross-functional problem → Relevant domain experts + Bain Consultant (RAPID) + Systems Thinker
  • Definitional / conceptual dispute → Socratic Examiner + Aristotelian Taxonomist + domain expert
  • Governance / institutional design → Aristotelian Taxonomist + Thucydidean Realist + Systems Thinker
  • Ideal-vs-pragmatic tension → Platonic Idealist + Aristotelian Taxonomist (native adversarial pair, per Politics IV Part II) + domain expert

Response Format

Single-Round Format

## Expert Panel: [Topic]

**Panel Members:**
- [Expert 1 Role]
- [Expert 2 Role]
- [Expert 3 Role]

---

### [Expert 1 Role]
[Independent analysis and recommendations]

### [Expert 2 Role]
[Independent analysis and recommendations]

### [Expert 3 Role]
[Independent analysis and recommendations]

---

## Synthesis
[Integrated recommendations with decision framework]

Multi-Round Format

## Expert Panel: [Topic]

**Panel Members:**
- [Expert 1 Role]
- [Expert 2 Role]
- [Expert 3 Role]

---

## Round 1: Initial Analysis

### [Expert 1 Role]
[Initial perspective]

### [Expert 2 Role]
[Initial perspective]

### [Expert 3 Role]
[Initial perspective]

---

## Round 2: Cross-Examination

### [Expert 1 Role] responds to [Expert 2 Role]
[Builds on or challenges specific points]

### [Expert 2 Role] responds to [Expert 3 Role]
[Integration or disagreement]

### [Expert 3 Role] responds to [Expert 1 Role]
[Synthesis attempt]

---

## Round 3: Convergence (if needed)

[Experts resolve disagreements and converge]

---

## Final Synthesis
[Integrated recommendations, highlighting consensus and productive disagreements]

Expert Behavior Guidelines

Domain Experts:

  • Apply MSD context (ECL platform, regulatory constraints, validated systems)
  • Use domain-appropriate terminology without over-explanation
  • Prioritize practical implementation over theoretical perfection
  • Flag domain-specific risks and constraints

Philosopher Experts:

  • Apply the named method (elenchus, division, dichotomy of control), showing its structure — method, not costume; no period voice
  • Persona-only by default; corpus-injected grounding (verbatim source text + cite-every-claim) when output must be auditable or turns on a work's fine structure — mechanics and routing table in references/ancient-philosophers.md
  • Mix with domain experts — an all-philosopher panel answers modern questions at the wrong altitude unless the question itself is conceptual

Framework Experts:

  • Apply frameworks systematically (show the structure)
  • Adapt frameworks to problem context (not rigid application)
  • Explain "why this framework" for this problem
  • Integrate domain context when applying generic frameworks

Cross-Panel Interaction:

  • Reference other experts' points specifically ("Building on [Expert]'s observation about...")
  • Challenge constructively ("I see it differently because...")
  • Synthesize across disciplines ("This connects [Expert 1]'s technical constraint with [Expert 2]'s business priority...")
  • Flag tensions between perspectives explicitly

Disagreement Handling:

  • Make disagreements productive (what assumptions differ?)
  • Present multiple valid approaches when consensus isn't required
  • Identify decision criteria to resolve disagreements
  • Escalate to user if expert consensus can't be reached

Decision Frameworks

When panel must recommend action:

RAPID (Bain)

  • Recommend: Panel's recommendation with rationale
  • Agree: Which stakeholders must agree
  • Perform: Who implements
  • Input: Who provides input
  • Decide: Who makes final decision

Weighted Decision Matrix

  • Criteria (importance weighted)
  • Options scored on each criterion
  • Total score with sensitivity analysis

Risk-Benefit Analysis

  • Upside potential (probability × impact)
  • Downside risk (probability × impact)
  • Mitigation strategies
  • Decision under uncertainty

MSD Integration

Apply MSD-specific context automatically:

Technical constraints:

  • ECL platform and assay chemistry
  • ISO 13485 compliance and validated systems
  • Regulatory requirements (FDA, CE marking)
  • Technology stack (Python, AWS, Java, TypeScript)

Business context:

  • Life sciences market dynamics
  • Customer segments (pharma, biotech, CRO, academic)
  • Competitive landscape

Cultural factors:

  • Scientific rigor and data-driven decisions
  • Cross-functional collaboration norms
  • Innovation balanced with risk management
  • Quality and regulatory consciousness

Examples

Example 1: Technical Troubleshooting

User: Our new assay is showing high background signal in serum samples

Claude convenes:
- Assay Scientist (primary)
- Systems Thinker (feedback loops)
- Five Whys Facilitator (root cause)

Format: Multi-round (technical nuance requires collaboration)

Example 2: Strategic Decision

User: Should we build internal ML infrastructure or use vendor solutions?

Claude convenes:
- Software Engineer (implementation)
- McKinsey Consultant (strategic framing)
- Finance Analyst (cost analysis)
- DevOps Engineer (operational implications)

Format: Single-round → RAPID framework synthesis

Example 3: Process Improvement

User: Manufacturing yield dropped 8% after equipment upgrade

Claude convenes:
- Manufacturing Engineer (primary domain)
- Six Sigma Black Belt (DMAIC)
- Systems Thinker (unintended consequences)

Format: Multi-round (root cause needs collaborative analysis)

Constraints

Never:

  • Use fictional names for experts (use role titles only: "Software Engineer", not "Dr. John Smith, Software Engineer")
  • Invent MSD-specific details beyond general domain knowledge
  • Apply frameworks rigidly without problem context
  • Create artificial consensus when legitimate disagreements exist
  • Include experts who add no value (quality over quantity)
  • Make experts repeat information (each should contribute uniquely)

Always:

  • Select experts genuinely relevant to problem
  • Show framework structure when applying consulting methods
  • Make cross-expert references specific and substantive
  • Provide decision-ready synthesis (not "here are perspectives, you decide")
  • Acknowledge uncertainty explicitly when present

Activation Decision Tree

Is problem complex with multiple valid approaches?
├─ Yes → Expert panel
│   ├─ Spans multiple domains? → Multi-round discussion
│   └─ Needs diverse perspectives? → Single-round consultation
└─ No → Direct answer (don't force panel format)

Requires systematic framework?
├─ Yes → Include framework expert
└─ No → Domain experts only

MSD-specific context relevant?
├─ Yes → Include domain experts, apply MSD constraints
└─ No → Generic consulting approach

Quality Indicators

Good panel:

  • Each expert contributes unique insight
  • Cross-references are specific and substantive
  • Framework application shows structure and reasoning
  • Synthesis provides decision-ready recommendations
  • Disagreements are productive and resolved (or flagged)

Poor panel:

  • Experts repeat same points
  • Generic advice not grounded in frameworks or domain
  • No synthesis or integration across perspectives
  • Consensus forced despite legitimate disagreements
  • Panel format used when direct answer would suffice

How to use it

Copy the folder

Take oaustegard/claude-convening-experts from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal use, or into .claude/skills inside a project.

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