Feature Planning

Feature Planning Skill

Answers the question: In what order should tasks be executed? Which can run in parallel? What blocks what?

This skill focuses on task sequencing and dependency analysis, transforming a flat task list into a logical execution flow.

When to Use

Use this skill when you have a feature breakdown document and need to:

• Determine the correct order to execute tasks
• Identify which tasks block other tasks
• Find opportunities for parallelization
• Create a sequenced task list for execution
• Understand dependencies and integration points

Key indicator: You're asking "In what order should these tasks be done?" and "Which can happen in parallel?"

Do NOT use this skill if:

• You only have a feature spec/idea (use feature-breakdown first to identify all tasks)
• You need calendar dates and deadlines (not the focus of this skill)

Prerequisites Check

⚠️ CRITICAL: This skill requires a feature breakdown document as input. Do NOT proceed without it.

Before using this skill:

1. Verify you have completed feature-breakdown first

   • If you only have a feature spec or idea → STOP and use feature-breakdown skill first
   • If you have a feature breakdown document → Continue below

2. Expected inputs from feature-breakdown:

   • docs/features/[feature-name]-breakdown.md file exists
   • Contains all 8 required sections
   • Has a complete task list with dependencies and acceptance criteria

If you don't have a breakdown document:

• Load the feature-breakdown skill first
• Follow its workflow to decompose your feature spec into tasks
• Once you have docs/features/[feature-name]/breakdown.md, return here

Inputs

• Feature breakdown document (required): docs/features/[feature-name]/breakdown.md

Outputs

MANDATORY FILE ORGANIZATION: All feature files must be in docs/features/<feature-name>/ subdirectory.

When this skill completes, it creates:

1. Sequenced Task List (docs/features/[feature-name]/implementation-sequence.md)
   • All tasks organized in optimal execution order
   • Clear dependency relationships
   • Parallelization opportunities identified
   • Ready for AI agents to execute
   • Example: docs/features/user-authentication/implementation-sequence.md

Workflow Overview

The feature planning process transforms a breakdown into an ordered execution sequence:

Feature Breakdown Input
    ↓
Extract Tasks & Dependencies
    ↓
Build Dependency Graph
    ↓
Identify Execution Sequence
    ↓
Mark Parallel Opportunities
    ↓
Create Sequenced Task List
    ↓
Ready for Execution

Core Workflow

Phase 1: Extract and Validate Breakdown

Input: Feature breakdown document

1. Read breakdown structure:

   • Extract all tasks with their IDs and descriptions
   • Document all dependencies (which tasks block which)
   • Note component mappings
   • List acceptance criteria for each task

2. Validate task quality:

   • Confirm each task has acceptance criteria
   • Verify dependencies are explicitly stated
   • Identify any circular dependencies
   • Check for gaps or missing tasks

Phase 2: Build Dependency Graph

1. Map all task dependencies:

   • Create visual representation of what blocks what
   • Identify sequential tasks (must complete in order)
   • Identify parallel tasks (can run simultaneously)
   • Flag any circular dependencies or issues

2. Identify critical path (longest dependency chain):

   • Calculate total length of each dependency chain
   • Mark the longest chain as critical path
   • Note tasks on critical path that cannot slip

3. Group related work:

   • Group tasks by component
   • Identify natural groupings for batching
   • Recognize integration points requiring coordination

Phase 3: Determine Execution Sequence

1. Order tasks respecting dependencies:

   • Start with tasks that have no dependencies (can start immediately)
   • Place dependent tasks after their prerequisites
   • Group parallel tasks together
   • Organize by logical component flow

2. Identify parallelization opportunities:

   • Mark which tasks CAN run simultaneously
   • Group parallel tasks for batch execution
   • Document why tasks can/cannot run in parallel

Phase 4: Create Sequenced Task List

Generate the sequenced task list with this structure:

Sequenced Task Structure:

## Task [ID]: [Task Title]

**Component**: [Which component(s)]

**Depends On**: [List prerequisite task IDs, or "None"]

**Parallel With**: [Other task IDs that can run simultaneously, or "None"]

**Description**: [What needs to be done]

**Acceptance Criteria**:
- [ ] Criterion 1
- [ ] Criterion 2
- [ ] Criterion 3

**Integration Points**: [What does this task interface with?]

**Risks**: [Any technical risks or complexity?]

Organization principles:

1. Order tasks sequentially - respect dependencies
2. Group parallel tasks - related parallel work together
3. Mark critical path - indicate which tasks determine overall completion
4. Note integration points - show what requires coordination
5. Include all details - make each task self-contained and clear

Phase 5: Identify Batch Groupings

For single developer + AI agent execution:

1. Group tasks into logical batches (1-3 tasks per batch):

   • Batch 1: Foundation/Setup tasks
   • Batch 2: Component A implementation
   • Batch 3: Component B implementation
   • Batch 4: Integration & Testing
   • Etc.

2. Each batch should:

   • Be executable without waiting for other work
   • Have clear success criteria
   • Be able to complete before next batch starts
   • Have manageable scope for one agent session

Output Format

Create a single file: docs/features/[feature-name]/implementation-sequence.md

• Directory: Must use feature-specific subdirectory: docs/features/[feature-name]/
• Filename: implementation-sequence.md (clear, representative name)
• Example: docs/features/user-authentication/implementation-sequence.md
• MANDATORY: All feature files in same directory to maintain organization

# Execution Sequence: [Feature Name]

## Overview

**Total Tasks**: [N]
**Critical Path Length**: [N] tasks
**Parallel Opportunities**: [N] groups of parallel tasks

## Dependency Graph

[Visual ASCII representation or text description of dependencies]

## Sequenced Task List

[All tasks in order, following structure above]

## Batch Groupings (For Agent Execution)

### Batch 1: [Batch Name]
- Task [ID]: [Title]
- Task [ID]: [Title]
- Can execute in parallel: [Yes/No]
- Prerequisites: [None or list]

### Batch 2: [Batch Name]
[etc]

## Critical Path

Tasks that determine overall completion time:
- Task [ID] → Task [ID] → Task [ID]
- Total length: [N] tasks
- Cannot slip without delaying project

## Integration Points

Key coordination requirements:
- Task A output becomes Task B input
- [etc]

## Next Steps

Execute batches sequentially, using this sequence as the source of truth.

Guidelines

Dependency Rules

• Hard Dependency: Task B cannot start until Task A is 100% complete
• Soft Dependency: Task B can start during Task A but needs early completion milestone
• No Dependency: Tasks are completely independent

Parallelization

Tasks can run in parallel if:

• They have no dependencies on each other
• They work on different components
• They don't share resources

Tasks must run sequentially if:

• One's output feeds into the other's input
• They modify the same file/component
• One sets up infrastructure the other needs

Critical Path

The critical path is what determines overall completion. If ANY task on the critical path slips, the entire feature slips.

Identify critical path by:

1. Calculate total length of each dependency chain
2. Find the longest chain
3. These are the critical tasks

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Ignoring dependencies: Ordering tasks that block each other

❌ Assuming parallel work: Tasks that look independent but share dependencies

❌ Missing integration points: Not recognizing when one task needs output from another

❌ Circular dependencies: Task A depends on B, B depends on A

❌ Vague grouping: Batches that are too large to execute in one session

See Also

For reference materials, see the included reference documents:

• sequencing-guide.md: How to analyze and sequence dependencies
• batch-organization.md: How to group tasks for execution