sync

Synchronize research plans with actual progress and discoveries

Usage

Detect and correct drift between planned research activities and actual research progress, ensuring the context network reflects current reality.

Sync Objectives

When executing a /sync command:

Detect Research Drift: Identify discrepancies between planned and actual research
Update Status: Mark completed research as done
Document Discoveries: Capture undocumented findings and insights
Realign Plans: Adjust future research based on current understanding
Preserve Context: Maintain history of what was discovered vs. what was expected

Command Arguments

Parse $ARGUMENTS for options:

--last [timeframe] - Only check research from specified timeframe (e.g., "7d", "2w", "1m")
--domain [area] - Sync specific research domain only
--confidence [high|medium|low] - Only apply updates at specified confidence level
--dry-run - Preview changes without applying them
--verbose - Include detailed evidence in output
--interactive - Prompt for confirmation on ambiguous cases

Sync Process

Phase 1: Research Reality Assessment

Scan Research Artifacts

1. List all files changed in the last [timeframe]
2. Identify new research documents created
3. Review recent research reports
4. Check for new citations and sources
5. Scan framework updates
6. Review synthesis documents

Extract Research Signals

New framework sections that match planned research
Citation additions in specific areas
Research reports completed
Analysis documents with conclusions
Updated methodology notes
New discovery records

Phase 2: Research Plan Comparison

Load Active Research Plans

From context network, gather:
- Current research sprint tasks
- Active investigation plans
- In-progress research questions
- Recent research handoffs
- Pending synthesis items

Create Research Comparison Matrix

| Planned Research | Expected Outputs | Found Outputs | Status | Confidence |
|------------------|------------------|---------------|---------|------------|
| Literature Review X | research_reports/x.md | ✓ Exists | Likely Done | High |
| Framework Study Y | analysis/y_framework.md | ✗ Not found | Not Started | High |
| Citation Update Z | Updated citations in doc | ✓ Partial | In Progress | Medium |

Phase 3: Research Drift Detection

Identify Research Completion Patterns

Definitely Completed:
- Research report exists with conclusions
- Citations added to target documents
- Framework sections updated
- Synthesis integrated into context network
- Follow-up questions documented
Partially Completed:
- Research started but not concluded
- Some sources gathered but not synthesized
- Draft analysis without final conclusions
- Citations collected but not integrated
Not Started:
- No research artifacts found
- No progress on investigation
- No preliminary notes or sources
Divergent Research:
- Investigation took different direction
- Different methodology used
- Scope changed during research
- Unexpected findings led elsewhere

Phase 4: Research Evidence Gathering

For Each Suspected Research Completion:

## Evidence for Research Completion: [Research Question]

### Direct Evidence
- Report created: `path/to/report.md` (created: timestamp)
- Analysis completed: `path/to/analysis.md` (covers X aspects)
- Citations added: `document.md` (line numbers)

### Supporting Evidence
- Sources referenced: [list of new citations]
- Framework updates: [sections modified]
- Cross-references created: [links added]
- Discovery records: [insights documented]

### Counter-Evidence
- Missing expected outputs: [list]
- Incomplete synthesis: [what's not integrated]
- No validation: [claims not verified]

### Confidence Assessment: [High/Medium/Low]
Reasoning: [Why we believe this research is/isn't complete]

Phase 5: Context Network Updates

Generate Research Update Operations:

Research Task Status Updates

## Research Task: [Research Question]
Old Status: Planned/In Progress  
New Status: Completed
Evidence: [Summary of research outputs]
Completed Date: [Best estimate from file timestamps]
Researched By: [From document history if available]
Findings Summary: [Key discoveries]
Deviations from Plan: [Any scope changes noted]

New Documentation Needs

## Undocumented Research: [Investigation]
What Exists: [Reports/analysis found]
What's Missing: [Integration gaps]
Key Findings: [Inferred from research]
Synthesis Needs: [Framework integration required]

Research Plan Adjustments

## Research Plan Realignment: [Domain]
Original Plan: [What was intended to research]
Actual Research: [What was investigated]
Key Findings: [What was discovered]
Remaining Questions: [What still needs investigation]
Recommended Next Steps: [Based on current understanding]

Phase 6: Research Sync Report

Generate Comprehensive Research Sync Report:

# Research Sync Report - [Timestamp]

## Sync Summary
- Planned research checked: X
- Completed but undocumented: Y
- Partially completed: Z
- Divergent investigations: N
- Research questions resolved: M

## Completed Research Discovered

### High Confidence Completions
1. **[Research Question]**
   - Evidence: [Research outputs found]
   - Location: [Path to reports/analysis]
   - Key Findings: [Main discoveries]
   - Action: Mark as complete in [network location]

### Medium Confidence Completions
1. **[Research Question]**
   - Evidence: [What we found]
   - Uncertainty: [What's unclear about completion]
   - Recommended verification: [How to confirm findings]

### Partial Research
1. **[Research Question]**
   - Completed: [What research was done]
   - Remaining: [What questions remain]
   - Blockers: [Access/source issues if identifiable]

## Network Updates Required

### Immediate Updates (Automated)
- [ ] Update research status for [completed investigations]
- [ ] Create synthesis stubs for [completed research needing integration]
- [ ] Update progress indicators in [research plans]
- [ ] Add findings to [framework documents]

### Manual Review Needed
- [ ] Verify partial research completion of [investigation]
- [ ] Investigate divergent research path for [question]
- [ ] Resolve ambiguous research status of [investigation]
- [ ] Update research methodology for [domain]

## Research Drift Patterns Detected

### Systematic Issues
- Documentation lag: [Time between research and integration]
- Synthesis gaps: [Research not integrated into frameworks]
- Citation inconsistencies: [Missing or inconsistent attributions]

### Recommendations
1. [Research process improvement suggestion]
2. [Integration automation opportunity]
3. [Quality checkpoint addition recommendation]

## Applied Changes

### Files Updated
- `path/to/research-status.md`: Marked 3 investigations complete
- `path/to/research-plan.md`: Updated progress metrics
- `path/to/findings-log.md`: Added discovered research

### Files Created
- `path/to/undocumented-research.md`: Research integration stub
- `path/to/research-drift-log-YYYY-MM-DD.md`: Detailed drift record

### Validation Needed
- Please review: `path/to/ambiguous-research.md`
- Confirm completion: `path/to/partial-investigation.md`

Research Detection Heuristics

Research Pattern Matching

Research Planning → Completion Patterns:
  Literature Review:
    planned: "Review research on X topic"
    evidence:
      - research_archives/*/x_topic*.md
      - citations added to related docs
      - synthesis in analysis/
      
  Framework Analysis:
    planned: "Analyze Y framework"
    evidence:
      - analysis/frameworks/y_analysis.md
      - comparison documents
      - integration notes
      
  Citation Research:
    planned: "Find sources for Z claims"
    evidence:
      - new citations in target documents
      - source quality improvements
      - citation format updates

Research Confidence Scoring

High Confidence (90%+):
- Research report with conclusions exists
- Citations properly integrated
- Framework sections updated
- Synthesis documented

Medium Confidence (60-89%):
- Research started with some findings
- Sources gathered but not fully synthesized
- Some integration completed
- Questions partially answered

Low Confidence (30-59%):
- Only preliminary research exists
- Sources collected but not analyzed
- No conclusions documented
- Could be coincidental activity

Special Research Cases

Handling Research Pivots

When research took different direction than planned:

Check for scope change documentation
Look for new research questions emerged
Scan for methodology adjustments
Check for unexpected findings impact

Handling Incomplete Research

When partial research is found but stale:

Check last activity dates
Look for "TODO" or "INVESTIGATE" markers
Check if superseded by other research
Look for blocking access/source issues

Handling Serendipitous Discoveries

When unexpected research outputs are found:

Check for "discovery" or "insight" markers
Look for cross-domain connections
Check for new research directions opened
Look for framework implications

Sync Command Options

/sync                      # Full sync of all active research
/sync --last 7d           # Only check research from last 7 days  
/sync --domain frameworks # Sync specific research domain
/sync --confidence high   # Only apply high-confidence updates
/sync --dry-run          # Preview changes without applying
/sync --verbose          # Include detailed evidence
/sync --interactive      # Prompt for ambiguous cases

Red Flags During Research Sync

Large undocumented research activity - May indicate major investigations not tracked
Citations without corresponding research - May indicate external input not documented
Conflicting findings - May indicate research quality issues
Multiple analyses of same topic - May indicate coordination issues
"SPECULATION" or "UNVERIFIED" in new content - May indicate preliminary research

Post-Sync Actions

Notify relevant researchers of discovered completions
Create follow-up tasks for partial research
Update research velocity metrics based on actual completion
Flag process improvements based on drift patterns
Schedule deep-dive review for ambiguous research status

Integration with Other Commands

Run /sync before any research planning session
Run /sync after any major research period
Run /sync when onboarding new researchers
Include /sync --dry-run in regular knowledge health checks
Chain with audit command: /sync && /audit

/sync Command