Expected Outputs
Every invocation MUST produce:
- Implementation Plan Document
- Filename: PLAN-XXX_[project_name].md - Location: User-specified or docs/IMPL/ - Format: Markdown following template - Versioning: v1.0, v2.0, v3.0...
- Required Sections
- Document Control section with project metadata and revision history - Executive Summary - Progress Summary (if update) - Stage breakdown (MVP, MMP, MMR) - Atomic groups with priorities, status, dependencies - Timeline visualization (Gantt chart) - Success metrics and exit criteria - Change log (if update) - Traceability matrix
- Change Log (updates only)
- BRD changes documented - Impact analysis - Specific group changes - Timeline impact
Decision Frameworks
Framework 1: MVP Scope Decisions
Question: Should this feature be in MVP?
Key Questions:
- Does it test the core hypothesis?
- Can we validate without it?
- Is there a simpler alternative for MVP?
- Does it validate high-risk assumption?
- Is there a viable workaround?
MVP Inclusion Criteria (meet at least 2):
- [ ] Validates core technical feasibility
- [ ] Required for end-to-end workflow
- [ ] Tests riskiest assumption
- [ ] Generates critical user feedback
- [ ] No viable workaround exists
Framework 2: Parallel vs Sequential
Decision Checklist:
Group A + Group B can be parallel if:
* No code dependencies
* Different files/modules
* No shared database schema changes
* No shared infrastructure
* Separate team members available
* No specialized skill bottleneck
* Integration points clearly defined
* Low rework risk
If 8-10 checks = ✅ PARALLEL (same priority) If 5-7 checks = ⚠️ PARALLEL with caution If <5 checks = ❌ SEQUENTIAL
Framework 3: Stage Gate Criteria
MVP → MMP Gate:
Exit Criteria (must meet ALL):
- [ ] Core functionality works end-to-end
- [ ] Riskiest assumptions validated
- [ ] User feedback collected
- [ ] Critical bugs logged
- [ ] Team consensus: hypothesis validated
- [ ] Product Owner sign-off
Proceed if:
- ✅ Hypothesis confirmed
- ✅ Technical feasibility proven
- ✅ Team confident
STOP if:
- ❌ Hypothesis rejected
- ❌ Technical infeasibility
- ❌ Cost exceeds value
Framework 4: Update Impact Assessment
Process:
Step 1: Categorize Change
- Type: New / Modified / Removed / External dependency
- Size: Small (<5 req) / Medium (5-15) / Large (>15)
- Timing: Early (planned) / Mid (in-progress) / Late (completed)
Step 2: Map to Groups
- Completed groups: [Impact: None / Re-validation needed]
- In-progress groups: [Impact: Continue / Adjust / Stop]
- Planned groups: [Impact: Modify / Cancel / Reprioritize]
Step 3: Impact Level
- NONE: No action
- LOW: <1 week, adjust in place
- MEDIUM: 1-2 weeks, consider new group
- HIGH: >2 weeks, create new group
- CRITICAL: Invalidates group, cancel/redistribute
Step 4: Decision Matrix
- COMPLETED: No change (immutable) unless re-validation needed
- IN_PROGRESS: Continue / Adjust / Stop and replan
- PLANNED: Adjust / Modify / Cancel / Create new
Adaptation Guidelines
For Different Project Types
Infrastructure Projects
- MVP: Single environment (dev) with core infrastructure, automation scripts
- MMP: Production with full DR/HA, all IaC automated
- Grouping: By layer (network, compute, storage, security)
- Critical Path: IAM/Security → Network → Compute
API Development
- MVP: Core endpoints, happy-path only, simplified auth
- MMP: All endpoints, full error handling, OAuth, rate limiting
- Grouping: By resource/domain (Users API, Orders API)
- Parallel: Independent resources can develop simultaneously
ML/AI Systems
- MVP: Single model, manual training, sample data
- MMP: Automated pipeline, versioning, A/B testing, production serving
- Grouping: By ML pipeline stage (data prep, training, serving)
- Critical Path: Data quality → Model training → Serving
Web Applications
- MVP: Single-page prototype, core flow, desktop-only
- MMP: Responsive, cross-browser, all flows, production hosting
- Grouping: By user journey (registration, onboarding, core workflow)
- Parallel: Frontend + Backend (clear API contract)
For Changing Requirements
New Features Added Mid-Project
- Is it MVP validation? → Add to MVP (rare)
- Essential for launch? → Add to MMP
- Incremental value? → Add to MMR
- Can wait? → Backlog
Process: Create requirement IDs, assess dependencies, fit in existing or create new group, assign stage/priority, update timeline, document in change log.
Features Removed/Descoped
- In COMPLETED group? → Note descoping (already built)
- In IN_PROGRESS? → Assess if should continue or stop
- In PLANNED? → Cancel group or reduce scope
Process: Identify affected groups, remove requirements, cancel empty groups or adjust deliverables, update timeline, document rationale.
Priority Changes (Urgent Feature)
- Verify dependencies allow earlier execution
- Reprioritize to earlier priority number
- Shift other groups later
- Assess resource impact
- Update timeline
- Communicate trade-offs in change log
For Different Team Sizes
Small Team (2-3 FTE)
- Limited parallelization (max 2 tracks)
- Focus on sequence over parallel
- Longer MVP/MMP stages
- Add 30-50% buffer for context switching
Medium Team (4-8 FTE)
- Good balance (2-3 parallel tracks)
- Specialization possible
- Maximize stage parallelization
- Clear ownership
Large Team (9+ FTE)
- High parallelization (4+ tracks)
- Specialized roles
- Risk: Communication overhead, integration complexity
- Strategy: Strict API contracts, daily syncs, strong PM
Best Practices Compendium
Common Pitfalls and Solutions
Pitfall 1: MVP Scope Creep
- Problem: MVP grows with "nice-to-have" features
- Solution: Ruthlessly apply MVP criteria, time-box MVP, create "MMP Backlog"
Pitfall 2: Ignoring Dependencies
- Problem: Parallelizing groups with hidden dependencies causes rework
- Solution: Thorough dependency mapping, define APIs before parallel work, daily syncs
Pitfall 3: Modifying Completed Work
- Problem: Updates change completed groups, causing confusion
- Solution: Mark completed as IMMUTABLE, create NEW groups for modifications
Pitfall 4: Underestimating MMP Polish
- Problem: Thinking MMP is "MVP + features" vs "production quality"
- Solution: Budget 50-100% more time for MMP, use strict "Definition of Done"
Pitfall 5: No Clear Stage Gates
- Problem: Moving MVP → MMP without validating success
- Solution: Explicit gate meetings, written exit criteria, PO sign-off required
When to Deviate
Acceptable Deviations:
- Regulatory deadline: Compress stages, parallelize aggressively
- Market window: Skip some MMR features, focus on differentiators
- Technical debt crisis: Insert "Stabilization Sprint" between stages
Never Deviate:
- ❌ Skip MVP validation
- ❌ Launch MMP with known high-severity bugs
- ❌ Ignore completed work in updates
- ❌ Parallelize hard dependencies
Lessons Learned
- MVP Always Takes Longer: Add 25% buffer (50% for first-time team)
- MMP Needs More Testing: Budget 30% of MMP for testing/QA
- Documentation Never "Done": Start in MVP, update continuously
- Velocity Improves: First groups slower (learning), later groups faster (momentum)
Validation Checklist
For New Plans
Completeness:
- [ ] All requirements accounted for
- [ ] Dependencies identified and documented
- [ ] No circular dependencies
Atomic Groups:
- [ ] Groups independently testable
- [ ] Groups cohesive (related functionality)
- [ ] Size reasonable (1-4 weeks each)
- [ ] Descriptive names
Stage Assignment:
- [ ] MVP scope minimal (validation only)
- [ ] MMP includes launch essentials
- [ ] MMR is incremental (not launch-critical)
Timeline:
- [ ] Estimates based on complexity
- [ ] Buffers included at stage level
- [ ] Timeline realistic for team size
For Updated Plans (CRITICAL)
Immutability:
- [ ] All completed work preserved unchanged
- [ ] Completion dates/deliverables unchanged
- [ ] No deletions/scope changes to completed groups
Impact Assessment:
- [ ] In-progress work assessed
- [ ] Only planned work modified
- [ ] New requirements mapped to groups
Change Log:
- [ ] BRD changes documented
- [ ] Impact analysis complete
- [ ] Specific changes listed with reasons
- [ ] Timeline impact calculated
Timeline Continuity:
- [ ] Timeline starts from current date
- [ ] Remaining work calculated accurately
- [ ] Variance explained
Progress Tracking:
- [ ] Progress summary accurate
- [ ] Status categories correct
- [ ] Completion percentage calculated
Appendix
Complexity Rating Scale
| Rating | Definition | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trivial: Config change, minimal code | 0.5-1 week |
| 2 | Simple: Single component, clear requirements | 1-2 weeks |
| 3 | Moderate: Multiple components, some integration | 2-3 weeks |
| 4 | Complex: Cross-system integration, unknowns | 3-4 weeks |
| 5 | Very Complex: Architectural change, high uncertainty | 4-6 weeks |
Glossary
MVP: Learning-focused first version to validate hypothesis. Functional but imperfect.
MMP: Market-ready first release with essential features and production quality. Can be sold.
MMR: Incremental feature releases after MMP. Production-quality, adds value.
Atomic Group: Independently deployable set of related requirements. 1-4 weeks, cohesive, testable.
Critical Path: Longest dependency chain determining minimum timeline.
Dependency: Prerequisite relationship between requirements or groups.
Stage Gate: Decision point between stages to validate completion.
Priority Number: Sequencing indicator. Same number = parallel execution.
Status: Current state (COMPLETED, IN_PROGRESS, BLOCKED, PLANNED, MODIFIED, CANCELLED).
Change Log: Document section tracking all modifications from previous version.
Immutable: Cannot be changed. Completed work is immutable in updates.
Worked Example Reference
See examples directory for complete worked examples:
Trading System v1.0: Initial plan from 11 BRDs
- 13 atomic groups across MVP/MMP/MMR
- All groups PLANNED
- Timeline: 27 weeks from start
Trading System v2.0: Updated after BRD-004 changes
- MVP completed (Groups 1-4)
- Group 5 in progress
- New requirements added
- Timeline adjusted, change log included
*(Full examples in {project_root}/.claude/skills/project-mngt/examples/)*
Skill Version History
Version 1.0 (2025-01-03):
- Initial release
- Complete MVP/MMP/MMR framework
- Change management protocols
- Templates and decision frameworks
- Validation checklists
- Adaptation guidelines
Support and Feedback
For issues or enhancements:
- Document issue or suggestion
- Provide scenario where skill didn't work
- Suggest improvement with rationale
This skill evolves based on real-world usage and feedback.