Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M6548

CLEAR

CLEAR
TechnicalHigh supportSoftware Engineering
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A goal-setting framework, an alternative to the SMART criteria: C (Collaborative): Collaborative - goals encourage teamwork L (Limited): Limited - scope and time are constrained E (Emotional): Emotional - connected to personal values and passions A (Appreciable): Decomposable - can be broken down into smaller goals R (Refinable): Adjustable - can be revised as circumstances change

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Flexible adaptation, emotion-driven. Compared to the rigidity of SMART criteria, CLEAR emphasizes collaboration, emotional connection, and flexibility in goal adjustment, making it more suitable for rapidly changing agile environments and teams.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Based on "agile goals." Compared to SMART's rigidity, CLEAR emphasizes collaboration/emotion/limited/decomposable/adjustable, adapting to fast-changing environments and teams.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/1

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

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