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BMAD-METHOD/bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan

Project Planning Workflow

Overview

Scale-adaptive project planning workflow that automatically adjusts outputs based on project scope - from single atomic changes (Level 0: tech-spec only) to enterprise platforms (Level 4: full PRD + epics). Generates appropriate planning artifacts for each level with intelligent routing and continuation support.

Key Features

  • Scale-adaptive planning - Automatically determines output based on project complexity
  • Intelligent routing - Uses router system to load appropriate instruction sets
  • Continuation support - Can resume from previous sessions and handle incremental work
  • Multi-level outputs - Supports 5 project levels (0-4) with appropriate artifacts
  • Input integration - Leverages product briefs and market research when available
  • Template-driven - Uses validated templates for consistent output structure

Usage

Basic Invocation

workflow plan-project

With Input Documents

# With product brief as input
workflow plan-project --input /path/to/product-brief.md

# With multiple inputs
workflow plan-project --input product-brief.md --input market-research.md

Configuration

The workflow adapts automatically based on project assessment, but key configuration options include:

  • scale_parameters: Defines story/epic counts for each project level
  • output_folder: Where all generated documents are stored
  • project_name: Used in document names and templates

Workflow Structure

Files Included

plan-project/
├── workflow.yaml              # Configuration and metadata
├── instructions-router.md     # Initial assessment and routing logic
├── instructions-sm.md         # Level 0 instructions (tech-spec only)
├── instructions-med.md        # Level 1-2 instructions (PRD + tech-spec)
├── instructions-lg.md         # Level 3-4 instructions (full PRD + epics)
├── analysis-template.md       # Project assessment template
├── prd-template.md           # Product Requirements Document template
├── tech-spec-template.md     # Technical Specification template
├── epics-template.md         # Epic breakdown template
├── checklist.md              # Validation criteria
└── README.md                 # This file

Workflow Process

Phase 1: Assessment and Routing (Steps 1-5)

  • Project Analysis: Determines project type (greenfield/brownfield/legacy)
  • Scope Assessment: Classifies into 5 levels based on complexity
  • Document Discovery: Identifies existing inputs and documentation
  • Workflow Routing: Loads appropriate instruction set based on level
  • Continuation Handling: Resumes from previous work when applicable

Phase 2: Level-Specific Planning (Steps vary by level)

Level 0 (Single Atomic Change):

  • Creates technical specification only
  • Focuses on implementation details for small changes

Level 1-2 (Features and Small Systems):

  • Generates minimal PRD with core sections
  • Creates comprehensive tech-spec
  • Includes basic epic breakdown

Level 3-4 (Full Products and Platforms):

  • Produces complete PRD with all sections
  • Generates detailed epic breakdown
  • Includes architect handoff materials
  • Creates traceability mapping

Phase 3: Validation and Handoff (Final steps)

  • Document Review: Validates outputs against checklists
  • Architect Preparation: For Level 3-4, prepares handoff materials
  • Next Steps: Provides guidance for development phase

Output

Generated Files

  • Primary output: PRD.md (except Level 0), tech-spec.md, project-workflow-analysis.md
  • Supporting files: epics.md (Level 3-4), PRD-validation-report.md (if validation run)

Output Structure by Level

Level 0 - Tech Spec Only:

  1. Technical Overview - Implementation approach
  2. Detailed Design - Code-level specifications
  3. Testing Strategy - Validation approach

Level 1-2 - Minimal PRD + Tech Spec:

  1. Problem Statement - Core issue definition
  2. Solution Overview - High-level approach
  3. Requirements - Functional and non-functional
  4. Technical Specification - Implementation details
  5. Success Criteria - Acceptance criteria

Level 3-4 - Full PRD + Epics:

  1. Executive Summary - Project overview
  2. Problem Definition - Detailed problem analysis
  3. Solution Architecture - Comprehensive solution design
  4. User Experience - Journey mapping and wireframes
  5. Requirements - Complete functional/non-functional specs
  6. Epic Breakdown - Development phases and stories
  7. Technical Handoff - Architecture and implementation guidance

Requirements

  • Input Documents: Product brief and/or market research (recommended but not required)
  • Project Configuration: Valid config.yaml with project_name and output_folder
  • Assessment Readiness: Clear understanding of project scope and objectives

Best Practices

Before Starting

  1. Gather Context: Collect any existing product briefs, market research, or requirements
  2. Define Scope: Have a clear sense of project boundaries and complexity
  3. Prepare Stakeholders: Ensure key stakeholders are available for input if needed

During Execution

  1. Be Honest About Scope: Accurate assessment ensures appropriate planning depth
  2. Leverage Existing Work: Reference previous documents and avoid duplication
  3. Think Incrementally: Remember that planning can evolve - start with what you know

After Completion

  1. Validate Against Checklist: Use included validation criteria to ensure completeness
  2. Share with Stakeholders: Distribute appropriate documents to relevant team members
  3. Prepare for Architecture: For Level 3-4 projects, ensure architect has complete context

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: Workflow creates wrong level of documentation

  • Solution: Review project assessment and restart with correct scope classification
  • Check: Verify the project-workflow-analysis.md reflects actual project complexity

Issue: Missing input documents cause incomplete planning

  • Solution: Gather recommended inputs or proceed with manual context gathering
  • Check: Ensure critical business context is captured even without formal documents

Issue: Continuation from previous session fails

  • Solution: Check for existing project-workflow-analysis.md and ensure output folder is correct
  • Check: Verify previous session completed at a valid checkpoint

Customization

To customize this workflow:

  1. Modify Assessment Logic: Update instructions-router.md to adjust level classification
  2. Adjust Templates: Customize PRD, tech-spec, or epic templates for organizational needs
  3. Add Validation: Extend checklist.md with organization-specific quality criteria
  4. Configure Outputs: Modify workflow.yaml to change file naming or structure

Version History

  • v6.0.0 - Scale-adaptive architecture with intelligent routing
    • Multi-level project support (0-4)
    • Continuation and resumption capabilities
    • Template-driven output generation
    • Input document integration

Support

For issues or questions:

  • Review the workflow creation guide at /bmad/bmb/workflows/create-workflow/workflow-creation-guide.md
  • Validate output using checklist.md
  • Consult project assessment in project-workflow-analysis.md
  • Check continuation status in existing output documents

Part of the BMad Method v6 - BMM (Method) Module