势 — Strategic Momentum Model

Overview

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.

Skill composition: Use AFTER [second-order-thinking] to trace downstream consequences of phase transitions. Use WITH [s-curve-technology-adoption] to confirm the macro wave exists. Use BEFORE [okr-goal-setting] to set stage-appropriate goals.

When to Use

• Entering a new market or venture; efforts feel scattered; founder asks "when do we scale / raise / launch?"
• Post-pivot reassessment; pre-investment phase mapping

When NOT to use: optimizing an already well-functioning 造势 phase; purely operational decisions; time horizon under 90 days; organization has no control over macro environment.

Coaching Novices (Adaptive Front Door)

• Engine mode: user has a concrete case → run The Process directly.
• Coach mode: user is unfamiliar → guide step by step.