── ── Mental model
势 — Strategic Momentum Model
势 (shì) is the propensity of a situation to evolve in a direction — a wave you read and ride, not power you exert. The five phases (蓄势→谋势→借势→得势→造势) are sequential; skipping one creates fragile momentum that reverses. The universal failure mode: mistaking activity for momentum, or attempting 造势 before achieving 得势.
How it works
Output artifact: Momentum Phase Map · Gate rule: Answer each gate with specific, observable evidence — not aspirations.
Step 1 — Diagnose current phase (assign ONE only)
· Phase · Defining Activity · Evidence Required · · --- · --- · --- · · 蓄势 Store · Capability building; patient waiting · 3+ specific capabilities being built now · · 谋势 Plan · Forward insight; seeking partners · Differentiating insight + ≥1 committed partner · · 借势 Leverage · Riding a macro wave · Named macro trend with exponential trajectory evidence · · 得势 Obtain · Focus discipline; less is more · Specific evidence of compounding returns · · 造势 Amplify · Resonance events; transmission · 3+ live amplification channels already generating signal ·
When to use it
- user says 'we need to pick up speed', 'why aren't we getting traction', 'when should we scale / raise / launch', 'our efforts feel scattered', or 'are we ready to grow'
- entering a new market or venture
- post-pivot phase reassessment
- pre-investment readiness check
When not to use it
When the decision is routine and reversible, applying a formal method costs more than it returns.
Worked example
Amazon's Strategic Momentum, 1994–2007
Amazon's growth from a garage startup to the dominant e-commerce platform is a textbook five-phase 势 case, documented in primary sources.
Install this skill (free, MIT)
npx skills add deciqAI/knowledge-skills