HUMMBL Framework Skill

Comprehensive reference for the HUMMBL (Human Understanding through Mental Model-Based Learning) Base120 framework. Provides complete access to all 120 validated mental models, transformation methodologies, model selection guidance, and application patterns.

Framework Overview

Base120 Structure:

• 6 Transformations × 20 Models Each = 120 Total Models
• Validation Date: October 29, 2025
• Quality Score: 9.2/10 average
• Priority Levels: P1-P7 (empirically derived usage frequency)

The 6 Transformations

1. Perspective (P) - P1 through P20

Purpose: Frame and name what is
Core Function: How we see, interpret, and conceptualize problems
When to Use: When you need multiple viewpoints, stakeholder analysis, or problem framing

Complete P-Series Models:

• P1: First Principles - Break down to fundamental truths
• P2: Stakeholder Mapping - Identify all affected parties
• P3: Mental Models - Recognize thinking frameworks in use
• P4: Lens Shifting - View from different perspectives
• P5: Framing Effects - How presentation shapes perception
• P6: Observer Bias - Account for subjective interpretation
• P7: Perspective Taking - Adopt another's viewpoint
• P8: Context Awareness - Situational factors that shape meaning
• P9: Paradigm Shifts - Fundamental worldview changes
• P10: Worldview Analysis - Core beliefs and assumptions
• P11: Cultural Frames - How culture shapes interpretation
• P12: Temporal Perspective - Time horizon effects
• P13: Scale Perspective - Zoom in/out effects
• P14: Systems Perspective - See interconnections
• P15: Narrative Framing - Story shapes understanding
• P16: Value Lenses - How values filter perception
• P17: Disciplinary Perspectives - Field-specific views
• P18: Ideological Frames - Political/philosophical lenses
• P19: Emotional Perspective - Feeling-based interpretation
• P20: Meta-Perspective - Awareness of perspective itself

2. Inversion (IN) - IN1 through IN20

Purpose: Reverse assumptions
Core Function: Challenge conventional thinking by inverting problems
When to Use: When stuck, need creativity, or want to find non-obvious solutions

Complete IN-Series Models:

• IN1: Inversion - Solve by considering opposite
• IN2: Negative Space - What's NOT there matters
• IN3: Via Negativa - Improve by removing, not adding
• IN4: Antifragile - Gains from disorder
• IN5: Reverse Engineering - Work backwards from end state
• IN6: Contrapositive - If A→B, then ¬B→¬A
• IN7: Devil's Advocate - Argue against to strengthen
• IN8: Premortem - Assume failure, work backwards
• IN9: Opportunity Cost - What you give up
• IN10: Negative Visualization - Imagine loss to appreciate
• IN11: Subtraction - Remove to improve
• IN12: Constraints as Enablers - Limits drive creativity
• IN13: Counterfactual Thinking - What if opposite happened?
• IN14: Reverse Mentoring - Junior teaches senior
• IN15: Disconfirmation - Seek evidence against belief
• IN16: Paradoxical Thinking - Embrace contradictions
• IN17: Beginner's Mind - Un-learn to learn fresh
• IN18: Negative Indicators - Absence as signal
• IN19: Inverse Problems - Define by what it's not
• IN20: Symmetry Breaking - Find asymmetric advantages

3. Composition (CO) - CO1 through CO20

Purpose: Combine parts into wholes
Core Function: Integration, synthesis, building up from components
When to Use: When assembling solutions, integrating ideas, or creating systems

Complete CO-Series Models:

• CO1: Synergy - Whole > sum of parts
• CO2: Emergence - New properties at higher levels
• CO3: Integration - Combine disparate elements
• CO4: Synthesis - Merge ideas into new whole
• CO5: Modularity - Independent components compose
• CO6: Ecosystem Thinking - Interconnected components
• CO7: Value Chain - Sequential value addition
• CO8: Layered Abstraction - Levels build on each other
• CO9: Network Effects - Value increases with connections
• CO10: Complementarity - Elements enhance each other
• CO11: Bundling - Package for greater value
• CO12: Cross-Pollination - Ideas from different domains
• CO13: Convergence - Multiple paths to same solution
• CO14: Gestalt - Pattern recognition in wholes
• CO15: Compounding - Small additions accumulate
• CO16: Scaffolding - Build support structures
• CO17: Stack Thinking - Layer technologies/capabilities
• CO18: Interfacing - Connect systems cleanly
• CO19: Orchestration - Coordinate multiple components
• CO20: Holistic Integration - Unify all elements

4. Decomposition (DE) - DE1 through DE20

Purpose: Break wholes into components
Core Function: Analysis, simplification, understanding through division
When to Use: When analyzing complex systems, debugging, or need to understand structure

Complete DE-Series Models:

• DE1: Root Cause Analysis - Find fundamental cause
• DE2: Divide and Conquer - Split problem into parts
• DE3: Modularization - Separate into independent units
• DE4: Abstraction Layers - Separate levels of detail
• DE5: Critical Path - Identify essential sequence
• DE6: Bottleneck Analysis - Find limiting constraint
• DE7: Pareto Analysis - 80/20 rule, vital few
• DE8: Failure Mode Analysis - How things can break
• DE9: Decision Trees - Branch out possibilities
• DE10: Value Stream Mapping - Trace value flow
• DE11: Force Field Analysis - Driving vs restraining forces
• DE12: SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
• DE13: Work Breakdown Structure - Hierarchical task decomposition
• DE14: Component Analysis - Individual element examination
• DE15: Causal Chains - A causes B causes C
• DE16: Dependency Mapping - What depends on what
• DE17: Gap Analysis - Current vs desired state
• DE18: Problem Disaggregation - Break into sub-problems
• DE19: Segmentation - Divide into meaningful groups
• DE20: Reductionism - Understand via simplest parts

5. Recursion (RE) - RE1 through RE20

Purpose: Iterate, feedback, self-reference
Core Function: Loops, feedback systems, self-similar patterns
When to Use: When dealing with feedback loops, iterative processes, or self-referential systems

Complete RE-Series Models:

• RE1: Feedback Loops - Output influences input
• RE2: Iterative Refinement - Successive improvements
• RE3: Self-Reference - System refers to itself
• RE4: Reflexivity - Observer affects observed
• RE5: Recursion - Function calls itself
• RE6: Fractal Thinking - Self-similarity at scales
• RE7: Virtuous Cycles - Positive reinforcing loops
• RE8: Vicious Cycles - Negative reinforcing loops
• RE9: Compound Growth - Growth on growth
• RE10: Homeostasis - Self-regulating equilibrium
• RE11: Adaptation - Learning from feedback
• RE12: Evolutionary Thinking - Iterate with selection
• RE13: Bootstrapping - Self-starting process
• RE14: Meta-Learning - Learning to learn
• RE15: Autopoiesis - Self-creating systems
• RE16: Strange Loops - Paradoxical self-reference
• RE17: Circular Causality - A causes B causes A
• RE18: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy - Belief creates reality
• RE19: Second-Order Effects - Effects of effects
• RE20: Infinite Regress - Endless nesting

6. Meta-Systems (SY) - SY1 through SY20

Purpose: Coordinate systems-of-systems
Core Function: Higher-order patterns, system integration, meta-level thinking
When to Use: When coordinating multiple systems, strategic planning, or framework design

Complete SY-Series Models:

• SY1: Systems Thinking - See interconnections
• SY2: Second-Order Thinking - Consequences of consequences
• SY3: Butterfly Effect - Small changes, big impacts
• SY4: Leverage Points - High-impact interventions
• SY5: Unintended Consequences - Unpredicted outcomes
• SY6: Complexity Theory - Emergent system behavior
• SY7: Resilience - Ability to absorb shocks
• SY8: Antifragility - Gains from volatility
• SY9: Optionality - Value of choices
• SY10: Black Swans - Rare, high-impact events
• SY11: Red Queen Effect - Running to stay in place
• SY12: Tragedy of Commons - Individual vs collective good
• SY13: Cobra Effect - Solution worsens problem
• SY14: Goodhart's Law - Measured metric loses meaning
• SY15: Shifting Baselines - Changing reference points
• SY16: Lindy Effect - Age predicts longevity
• SY17: Ergodicity - Time vs ensemble averages differ
• SY18: Path Dependence - History constrains future
• SY19: Model Selection - Choose right mental model
• SY20: Meta-Models - Models about models

Model Selection Framework (SY19 Application)

Quick Selection Guide

Problem Type	Use Transformation	Top 3 Models
Unclear problem definition	Perspective (P)	P1, P2, P4
Conventional thinking stuck	Inversion (IN)	IN1, IN8, IN17
Building/integrating solution	Composition (CO)	CO1, CO4, CO20
Complex system analysis	Decomposition (DE)	DE1, DE6, DE7
Feedback/iteration issues	Recursion (RE)	RE1, RE2, RE7
Strategic/systemic challenge	Meta-Systems (SY)	SY1, SY2, SY4

Priority Levels (P1-P7)

Models ranked by empirical usage frequency:

P1 (Highest Utility): P1, P2, IN1, CO1, DE1, RE1, SY1
P2 (High Utility): P4, IN8, CO4, DE7, RE2, SY2
P3 (Regular Use): P3, IN3, CO5, DE2, RE7, SY4
P4-P7 (Situational): Specialized, powerful when needed

Application Templates

Template: Perspective Analysis (P-Series)

Input: Problem statement, context
Process:

1. Apply P1 (First Principles): What are fundamental truths?
2. Apply P2 (Stakeholder Mapping): Who is affected?
3. Apply P4 (Lens Shifting): View from 3 different perspectives
4. Apply P8 (Context): What situational factors matter?

Output: Multi-perspective problem understanding

Template: Inversion Analysis (IN-Series)

Input: Problem, current approach
Process:

1. Apply IN1 (Inversion): What if we did opposite?
2. Apply IN8 (Premortem): Assume failure, why?
3. Apply IN3 (Via Negativa): What should we stop?
4. Apply IN15 (Disconfirmation): What evidence contradicts?

Output: Non-obvious insights, blind spots revealed

Template: Composition Strategy (CO-Series)

Input: Components, requirements
Process:

1. Apply CO1 (Synergy): How do parts enhance each other?
2. Apply CO4 (Synthesis): How to merge into coherent whole?
3. Apply CO19 (Orchestration): How to coordinate?
4. Apply CO20 (Holistic Integration): Complete unification

Output: Integrated solution architecture

Template: Decomposition Analysis (DE-Series)

Input: Complex system
Process:

1. Apply DE1 (Root Cause): Why does this exist/happen?
2. Apply DE2 (Divide & Conquer): Break into logical parts
3. Apply DE6 (Bottleneck): What's the constraint?
4. Apply DE7 (Pareto): What's the vital 20%?

Output: System understanding, actionable insights

Template: Recursion Analysis (RE-Series)

Input: System with feedback
Process:

1. Apply RE1 (Feedback Loops): Map all loops
2. Apply RE7 (Virtuous Cycles): Identify positive loops
3. Apply RE8 (Vicious Cycles): Identify negative loops
4. Apply RE2 (Iterative Refinement): Design improvement process

Output: Feedback map, intervention points

Template: Meta-Systems Strategy (SY-Series)

Input: Strategic question
Process:

1. Apply SY1 (Systems Thinking): See whole system
2. Apply SY2 (Second-Order): What are consequences of consequences?
3. Apply SY4 (Leverage Points): Where to intervene?
4. Apply SY19 (Model Selection): Which other models apply?

Output: Strategic insight, leverage points

Quality & Evidence Standards

Quality Criteria (9.0/10 Target)

Each model assessed on:

• Clarity: Clear definition and boundaries
• Utility: Practical, actionable insights
• Evidence: Research-backed, validated
• Pedagogy: Teachable, transferable
• Integration: Combines with other models

Overall Framework Score: 9.2/10 (October 2025 validation)

Evidence Requirements

• Minimum 2 peer-reviewed sources per model
• Real-world application examples
• Validation through case studies
• Academic citations in HUMMBL Bibliography v1

Integration with MCP Server

Recommended Endpoints

1. /models - List all 120 models with metadata
2. /transformations - Get transformation definitions
3. /select-model - SY19 model selection logic
4. /apply/{transformation} - Apply transformation to problem
5. /search - FTS5 search across models

Database Schema

CREATE TABLE mental_models (
  code TEXT PRIMARY KEY,        -- P1, IN15, SY19, etc.
  transformation TEXT NOT NULL, -- P, IN, CO, DE, RE, SY
  name TEXT NOT NULL,
  description TEXT,
  priority INTEGER,             -- 1-7
  use_cases JSON,
  examples JSON,
  quality_score REAL
);

Resources

• Official Source: HUMMBL Mental Models (Oct 29, 2025)
• Framework: Unified Tier Framework v1.0
• Bibliography: HUMMBL Bibliography v1 (120+ citations)
• Validation: BASE120 Validator (9.2/10 quality)

Quick Reference

Top 12 Models (P1-P2 Priority):

1. P1 First Principles
2. P2 Stakeholder Mapping
3. IN1 Inversion
4. IN8 Premortem
5. CO1 Synergy
6. CO4 Synthesis
7. DE1 Root Cause
8. DE7 Pareto
9. RE1 Feedback Loops
10. RE2 Iterative Refinement
11. SY1 Systems Thinking
12. SY2 Second-Order Thinking

Use this skill for: Mental model reference, model selection, transformation application, MCP server development, problem analysis, strategic thinking