The Three-Stage Consultation Pattern
The golden rule 7+1 has a structure we call "three stages in each cycle."
We call this sequence the three-stage consultation pattern. In the previous chapter, we noted that the "+1" external auditor appears at both the first and second stages. This chapter walks through that sequence step by step, in order.
Stage 1: The External Auditor Sets the Review Criteria
The first move in the three-stage consultation is not made by the internal seven subagents (the seven internal roles that handle execution), but by the external auditor.
Rather than immediately asking all seven to share their opinions, the external auditor moves first and draws up a map of what to watch for — the criteria that will guide the whole review.
For example, suppose we put a design draft through the consultation process. At this stage, the external auditor might flag upfront: "There are sections in this draft where the explanation to readers is thin," or "We need to pay attention to consistency with the previous chapter."
The internal seven then receive those criteria before they start their own reviews, each checking within their own area of responsibility.
The reason for this order is simple: when everyone involved shares an understanding of what to focus on before they begin, gaps in the review are less likely. By aligning on "what to look at," each member's area of expertise can do its best work.
Stage 2: Parallel Consultation with the Internal Seven
After the Stage 1 criteria are shared, all seven internal subagents submit their assessments simultaneously — in parallel, meaning all at once rather than one after another.
Tech Lead (technical lead) checks the implementation feasibility. COO (operations lead) looks at operational workability. QA (quality assurance) reviews the quality of the output and the logical consistency of the argument. Brand Voice (tone and expression manager) checks for consistency in wording and any prohibited expressions. Task Dispatcher (routing coordinator) reviews the task flow and dependencies (meaning: tasks where one step must finish before the next can start). Researcher (information lead) evaluates the accuracy of background assumptions. Content Director (content lead) checks alignment with the overall direction of the series.
At this stage, each of the seven responds based solely on their own area — they do not read each other's assessments first.
As described in What "parallel consultation with the internal seven" means, the parallel format exists to prevent groupthink (the tendency for one person's opinion to pull others along). The Stage 1 criteria are shared with everyone, but individual assessments are submitted independently. Sharing criteria and keeping opinions independent are two separate design decisions.
Stage 3: The External Auditor Makes the Final Call
Once all seven assessments are in, the external auditor returns.
Their role here is to make the final call: pass or stop. They review all seven assessments together and check whether the criteria flagged in Stage 1 were genuinely addressed internally.
If an important criterion was not dealt with thoroughly enough, the draft is sent back (meaning: the instruction is to revise and resubmit). Even if all seven internal subagents are aligned on "no issues," the external auditor's judgment of "send it back" takes priority.
As described in The instinct to be wary when everyone is cheering "go", a state where everyone internally agrees is actually a sign that extra caution is warranted. The reason the external auditor appears at Stage 3 is precisely to prevent the process from moving forward on internal consensus alone.
Putting the Three Stages Together
From Stage 1 through Stage 3, the sequence looks like this:
- Stage 1 (External Auditor) — Presents the review criteria upfront: "here is what to watch for"
- Stage 2 (Parallel Consultation — Internal Seven) — Each role submits an independent assessment from within their own area
- Stage 3 (External Auditor) — Makes the final call: pass or stop
The external auditor holds the first and last positions, framing the internal process from the outside.
We count this three-stage sequence as one cycle. The three stages are what happen inside a single cycle. How many cycles are run in total is a separate question.