Planning from Idea to Task
The correct path: Need → Discovery → Scope → Constraints → Solution Options → Plan → Tasks → Delivery → Feedback
A good task:
- Has a clear goal and outcome;
- Specifies what’s in scope and what’s out of scope;
- Has dependencies and an order;
- Has testable acceptance criteria;
- Is small enough to review and roll back;
- Is not merely a vague file name or activity.
Example breakdown of a “Login with Google” feature:
- Define the flow and threat model;
- Configure the provider and secrets;
- Set up the callback endpoint and validation;
- Handle user mapping/creation;
- Build the UI and error states;
- Write auth and replay tests;
- Set up telemetry and rollout.
Keep a Spike separate from a delivery task: A Spike is for reducing uncertainty — its output is a decision or evidence, not necessarily production code.