# Product Owner (PO) Validation Checklist This checklist serves as a comprehensive framework for the Product Owner to validate the complete MVP plan before development execution. The PO should systematically work through each item, documenting compliance status and noting any deficiencies. ## 1. PROJECT SETUP & INITIALIZATION ### 1.1 Project Scaffolding - [ ] Epic 1 includes explicit steps for project creation/initialization - [ ] If using a starter template, steps for cloning/setup are included - [ ] If building from scratch, all necessary scaffolding steps are defined - [ ] Initial README or documentation setup is included - [ ] Repository setup and initial commit processes are defined (if applicable) ### 1.2 Development Environment - [ ] Local development environment setup is clearly defined - [ ] Required tools and versions are specified (Node.js, Python, etc.) - [ ] Steps for installing dependencies are included - [ ] Configuration files (dotenv, config files, etc.) are addressed - [ ] Development server setup is included ### 1.3 Core Dependencies - [ ] All critical packages/libraries are installed early in the process - [ ] Package management (npm, pip, etc.) is properly addressed - [ ] Version specifications are appropriately defined - [ ] Dependency conflicts or special requirements are noted ## 2. INFRASTRUCTURE & DEPLOYMENT SEQUENCING ### 2.1 Database & Data Store Setup - [ ] Database selection/setup occurs before any database operations - [ ] Schema definitions are created before data operations - [ ] Migration strategies are defined if applicable - [ ] Seed data or initial data setup is included if needed - [ ] Database access patterns and security are established early ### 2.2 API & Service Configuration - [ ] API frameworks are set up before implementing endpoints - [ ] Service architecture is established before implementing services - [ ] Authentication framework is set up before protected routes - [ ] Middleware and common utilities are created before use ### 2.3 Deployment Pipeline - [ ] CI/CD pipeline is established before any deployment actions - [ ] Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is set up before use - [ ] Environment configurations (dev, staging, prod) are defined early - [ ] Deployment strategies are defined before implementation - [ ] Rollback procedures or considerations are addressed ### 2.4 Testing Infrastructure - [ ] Testing frameworks are installed before writing tests - [ ] Test environment setup precedes test implementation - [ ] Mock services or data are defined before testing - [ ] Test utilities or helpers are created before use ## 3. EXTERNAL DEPENDENCIES & INTEGRATIONS ### 3.1 Third-Party Services - [ ] Account creation steps are identified for required services - [ ] API key acquisition processes are defined - [ ] Steps for securely storing credentials are included - [ ] Fallback or offline development options are considered ### 3.2 External APIs - [ ] Integration points with external APIs are clearly identified - [ ] Authentication with external services is properly sequenced - [ ] API limits or constraints are acknowledged - [ ] Backup strategies for API failures are considered ### 3.3 Infrastructure Services - [ ] Cloud resource provisioning is properly sequenced - [ ] DNS or domain registration needs are identified - [ ] Email or messaging service setup is included if needed - [ ] CDN or static asset hosting setup precedes their use ## 4. USER/AGENT RESPONSIBILITY DELINEATION ### 4.1 User Actions - [ ] User responsibilities are limited to only what requires human intervention - [ ] Account creation on external services is properly assigned to users - [ ] Purchasing or payment actions are correctly assigned to users - [ ] Credential provision is appropriately assigned to users ### 4.2 Developer Agent Actions - [ ] All code-related tasks are assigned to developer agents - [ ] Automated processes are correctly identified as agent responsibilities - [ ] Configuration management is properly assigned - [ ] Testing and validation are assigned to appropriate agents ## 5. FEATURE SEQUENCING & DEPENDENCIES ### 5.1 Functional Dependencies - [ ] Features that depend on other features are sequenced correctly - [ ] Shared components are built before their use - [ ] User flows follow a logical progression - [ ] Authentication features precede protected routes/features ### 5.2 Technical Dependencies - [ ] Lower-level services are built before higher-level ones - [ ] Libraries and utilities are created before their use - [ ] Data models are defined before operations on them - [ ] API endpoints are defined before client consumption ### 5.3 Cross-Epic Dependencies - [ ] Later epics build upon functionality from earlier epics - [ ] No epic requires functionality from later epics - [ ] Infrastructure established in early epics is utilized consistently - [ ] Incremental value delivery is maintained ## 6. MVP SCOPE ALIGNMENT ### 6.1 PRD Goals Alignment - [ ] All core goals defined in the PRD are addressed in epics/stories - [ ] Features directly support the defined MVP goals - [ ] No extraneous features beyond MVP scope are included - [ ] Critical features are prioritized appropriately ### 6.2 User Journey Completeness - [ ] All critical user journeys are fully implemented - [ ] Edge cases and error scenarios are addressed - [ ] User experience considerations are included - [ ] Accessibility requirements are incorporated if specified ### 6.3 Technical Requirements Satisfaction - [ ] All technical constraints from the PRD are addressed - [ ] Non-functional requirements are incorporated - [ ] Architecture decisions align with specified constraints - [ ] Performance considerations are appropriately addressed ## 7. RISK MANAGEMENT & PRACTICALITY ### 7.1 Technical Risk Mitigation - [ ] Complex or unfamiliar technologies have appropriate learning/prototyping stories - [ ] High-risk components have explicit validation steps - [ ] Fallback strategies exist for risky integrations - [ ] Performance concerns have explicit testing/validation ### 7.2 External Dependency Risks - [ ] Risks with third-party services are acknowledged and mitigated - [ ] API limits or constraints are addressed - [ ] Backup strategies exist for critical external services - [ ] Cost implications of external services are considered ### 7.3 Timeline Practicality - [ ] Story complexity and sequencing suggest a realistic timeline - [ ] Dependencies on external factors are minimized or managed - [ ] Parallel work is enabled where possible - [ ] Critical path is identified and optimized ## 8. DOCUMENTATION & HANDOFF ### 8.1 Developer Documentation - [ ] API documentation is created alongside implementation - [ ] Setup instructions are comprehensive - [ ] Architecture decisions are documented - [ ] Patterns and conventions are documented ### 8.2 User Documentation - [ ] User guides or help documentation is included if required - [ ] Error messages and user feedback are considered - [ ] Onboarding flows are fully specified - [ ] Support processes are defined if applicable ## 9. POST-MVP CONSIDERATIONS ### 9.1 Future Enhancements - [ ] Clear separation between MVP and future features - [ ] Architecture supports planned future enhancements - [ ] Technical debt considerations are documented - [ ] Extensibility points are identified ### 9.2 Feedback Mechanisms - [ ] Analytics or usage tracking is included if required - [ ] User feedback collection is considered - [ ] Monitoring and alerting are addressed - [ ] Performance measurement is incorporated ## VALIDATION SUMMARY ### Category Statuses | Category | Status | Critical Issues | | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------- | --------------- | | 1. Project Setup & Initialization | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 2. Infrastructure & Deployment Sequencing | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 3. External Dependencies & Integrations | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 4. User/Agent Responsibility Delineation | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 5. Feature Sequencing & Dependencies | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 6. MVP Scope Alignment | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 7. Risk Management & Practicality | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 8. Documentation & Handoff | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | | 9. Post-MVP Considerations | PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL | | ### Critical Deficiencies - List all critical issues that must be addressed before approval ### Recommendations - Provide specific recommendations for addressing each deficiency ### Final Decision - **APPROVED**: The plan is comprehensive, properly sequenced, and ready for implementation. - **REJECTED**: The plan requires revision to address the identified deficiencies.