Key points
- Fixed sequential pipelines (prompt chaining) fit predictable work; adaptive decomposition fits work that depends on intermediate findings.
- Prompt chaining for reviews: analyse each file individually, then run a cross-file integration pass.
- Adaptive plans generate subtasks from what is discovered at each step.
- Reviewing many files in one pass dilutes attention, producing uneven depth and contradictory findings.
- Open-ended tasks start by mapping structure and identifying high-impact areas before planning.
Common misconceptions
- "A bigger context window fixes attention dilution." It does not; focus comes from splitting the work.
- "Adaptive is always better because it is flexible." It adds variability to work that should be consistent.
- "Per-file passes alone are enough." Cross-file issues need the integration pass.
Watch for
Single-pass reviews of many files, fixed pipelines applied to investigations, and test plans that skip the structure-mapping step.
Practice Task 1.6
Start with the free 10-question check to see where you stand across all five domains. In CCA Prep Studio, 57 practice items cover this task, each tracked toward your mastery score.