Friction Detector

Step 3 — Process & Workflow Friction

1. Review friction: PR review bottlenecks, unclear review standards.
2. Testing friction: Slow tests, flaky tests, difficult test setup.
3. Deployment friction: Manual steps, long deployment times, risky rollbacks.
4. Communication friction: Tribal knowledge, missing documentation, unclear ownership.
5. Onboarding friction: Time to productivity for new team members.

Step 4 — Friction Report

1. Score each of the 10 categories on a 0-10 scale with evidence.
2. Calculate a total friction index (sum / 100).
3. Identify the top 3 friction multipliers (frictions that make other frictions worse).
4. Recommend friction-reduction actions ranked by effort vs. impact.

Quality Criteria

• Each friction score backed by specific evidence [HECHO]
• All 10 categories assessed, not just the obvious ones
• Friction multipliers identified (cascading effects)
• Recommendations include effort estimates

Anti-Patterns

• Only measuring build time as a proxy for all friction
• Ignoring cognitive and process friction (they're harder to measure but often worse)
• Treating friction reduction as a one-time project instead of ongoing practice
• Blaming individuals instead of identifying systemic friction sources