---
name: 'step-08-scoping'
description: 'Define MVP boundaries and prioritize features across development phases'

# File References
nextStepFile: '{project-root}/_evo/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-prd/steps-c/step-09-functional.md'
outputFile: '{planning_artifacts}/{active_feature}/prd.md'

# Task References
advancedElicitationTask: '{project-root}/_evo/core/workflows/advanced-elicitation/workflow.md'
partyModeWorkflow: '{project-root}/_evo/core/workflows/party-mode/workflow.md'
---

# Step 8: Scoping Exercise - MVP & Future Features

**Progress: Step 8 of 11** - Next: Functional Requirements

## MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

- 🛑 NEVER generate content without user input

- 📖 CRITICAL: ALWAYS read the complete step file before taking any action - partial understanding leads to incomplete decisions
- 🔄 CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure the entire file is read and understood before proceeding
- ✅ ALWAYS treat this as collaborative discovery between PM peers
- 📋 YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
- 💬 FOCUS on strategic scope decisions that keep projects viable
- 🎯 EMPHASIZE lean MVP thinking while preserving long-term vision
- ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config `{communication_language}`

## EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

- 🎯 Show your analysis before taking any action
- 📚 Review the complete PRD document built so far
- 💾 Write content directly to {outputFile} after generation
- 📖 Update output file frontmatter, adding this step name to the end of the list of stepsCompleted
- ⚠️ Present A/P/C/R menu after writing to file


## CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:

- Complete PRD document built so far is available for review
- User journeys, success criteria, and domain requirements are documented
- Focus on strategic scope decisions, not feature details
- Balance between user value and implementation feasibility

## YOUR TASK:

Conduct comprehensive scoping exercise to define MVP boundaries and prioritize features across development phases.

## SCOPING SEQUENCE:

### 1. Review Current PRD State

Analyze everything documented so far:
- Present synthesis of established vision, success criteria, journeys
- Assess domain and innovation focus
- Evaluate scope implications: simple MVP, medium, or complex project
- Ask if initial assessment feels right or if they see it differently

### 2. Define MVP Strategy

Facilitate strategic MVP decisions:
- Explore MVP philosophy options: problem-solving, experience, platform, or revenue MVP
- Ask critical questions:
  - What's the minimum that would make users say 'this is useful'?
  - What would make investors/partners say 'this has potential'?
  - What's the fastest path to validated learning?
- Guide toward appropriate MVP approach for their product

### 3. Scoping Decision Framework

Use structured decision-making for scope:

**Must-Have Analysis:**
- Guide identification of absolute MVP necessities
- For each journey and success criterion, ask:
  - Without this, does the product fail?
  - Can this be manual initially?
  - Is this a deal-breaker for early adopters?
- Analyze journeys for MVP essentials

**Nice-to-Have Analysis:**
- Identify what could be added later:
  - Features that enhance but aren't essential
  - User types that can be added later
  - Advanced functionality that builds on MVP
- Ask what features could be added in versions 2, 3, etc.

### 4. Progressive Feature Roadmap

Create phased development approach:
- Guide mapping of features across development phases
- Structure as Phase 1 (MVP), Phase 2 (Growth), Phase 3 (Vision)
- Ensure clear progression and dependencies

- Core user value delivery
- Essential user journeys
- Basic functionality that works reliably

**Phase 2: Growth**

- Additional user types
- Enhanced features
- Scale improvements

**Phase 3: Expansion**

- Advanced capabilities
- Platform features
- New markets or use cases

**Where does your current vision fit in this development sequence?**"

### 5. Risk-Based Scoping

Identify and mitigate scoping risks:

**Technical Risks:**
"Looking at your innovation and domain requirements:

- What's the most technically challenging aspect?
- Could we simplify the initial implementation?
- What's the riskiest assumption about technology feasibility?"

**Market Risks:**

- What's the biggest market risk?
- How does the MVP address this?
- What learning do we need to de-risk this?"

**Resource Risks:**

- What if we have fewer resources than planned?
- What's the absolute minimum team size needed?
- Can we launch with a smaller feature set?"

### 6. Generate Scoping Content

Prepare comprehensive scoping section:

#### Content Structure:

```markdown
## Project Scoping & Phased Development

### MVP Strategy & Philosophy

**MVP Approach:** {{chosen_mvp_approach}}
**Resource Requirements:** {{mvp_team_size_and_skills}}

### MVP Feature Set (Phase 1)

**Core User Journeys Supported:**
{{essential_journeys_for_mvp}}

**Must-Have Capabilities:**
{{list_of_essential_mvp_features}}

### Post-MVP Features

**Phase 2 (Post-MVP):**
{{planned_growth_features}}

**Phase 3 (Expansion):**
{{planned_expansion_features}}

### Risk Mitigation Strategy

**Technical Risks:** {{mitigation_approach}}
**Market Risks:** {{validation_approach}}
**Resource Risks:** {{contingency_approach}}
```

### 7. Write to File and Present Menu

After generating the scoping content:

1. Append the content to `{outputFile}` using the structure from step 6
2. Update frontmatter by adding this step name to the end of the stepsCompleted array

Then display menu:

Display: "**Select:** [A] Advanced Elicitation [P] Party Mode [C] Continue to Functional Requirements (Step 9 of 11) [R] Rewrite this section"

#### Menu Handling Logic:
- IF A: Read fully and follow: {advancedElicitationTask} with the current scoping content, process the enhanced insights, ask user if they accept the improvements, if yes overwrite section in {outputFile} with improvements then redisplay menu, if no keep original then redisplay menu
- IF P: Read fully and follow: {partyModeWorkflow} with the scoping context, process the collaborative insights, ask user if they accept the changes, if yes overwrite section in {outputFile} with improvements then redisplay menu, if no keep original then redisplay menu
- IF C: Read fully and follow: {nextStepFile}
- IF R: Rewrite the section from scratch based on user feedback, overwrite in {outputFile}, then redisplay menu
- IF Any other: help user respond, then redisplay menu

#### EXECUTION RULES:
- ALWAYS halt and wait for user input after presenting menu
- ONLY proceed to next step when user selects 'C'
- After other menu items execution, return to this menu

## APPEND TO DOCUMENT:

After generation, immediately append the content directly to the document using the structure from step 6 (before presenting the menu).

## SUCCESS METRICS:

✅ Complete PRD document analyzed for scope implications
✅ Strategic MVP approach defined and justified
✅ Clear MVP feature boundaries established
✅ Phased development roadmap created
✅ Key risks identified and mitigation strategies defined
✅ User explicitly agrees to scope decisions
✅ A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly
✅ Content properly appended to document when C selected

## FAILURE MODES:

❌ Not analyzing the complete PRD before making scoping decisions
❌ Making scope decisions without strategic rationale
❌ Not getting explicit user agreement on MVP boundaries
❌ Missing critical risk analysis
❌ Not creating clear phased development approach
❌ Not presenting A/P/C/R menu after writing content to file

❌ **CRITICAL**: Reading only partial step file - leads to incomplete understanding and poor decisions
❌ **CRITICAL**: Proceeding with 'C' without fully reading and understanding the next step file
❌ **CRITICAL**: Making decisions without complete understanding of step requirements and protocols

## NEXT STEP:

After user selects 'C' and content is saved to document, load {nextStepFile}.

Remember: Write content to file immediately after generation. Do NOT proceed to step-09 until user explicitly selects 'C' from the menu.
