name: 'step-06-innovation' description: 'Detect and explore innovative aspects of the product (optional step)'
workflow_path: '{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd'
thisStepFile: '{workflow_path}/steps/step-06-innovation.md' nextStepFile: '{workflow_path}/steps/step-07-project-type.md' workflowFile: '{workflow_path}/workflow.md' outputFile: '{planning_artifacts}/prd.md'
projectTypesCSV: '{workflow_path}/project-types.csv'
advancedElicitationTask: '{project-root}/_bmad/core/workflows/advanced-elicitation/workflow.xml'
Progress: Step 6 of 11 - Next: Project Type Analysis
🛑 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 detecting and exploring innovative aspects of the product
🎯 OPTIONAL STEP: Only proceed if innovation signals are detected
✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}
stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] before loading next stepThis step will generate content and present choices:
Before proceeding with this step, scan for innovation signals:
Detect and explore innovation patterns in the product, focusing on what makes it truly novel and how to validate the innovative aspects.
Load innovation signals specific to this project type:
{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/project-types.csv completelyproject_type matches detected type from step-02innovation_signals (semicolon-separated list)web_search_triggers for potential innovation researchMonitor conversation for both general and project-type-specific innovation signals:
Match user descriptions against innovation_signals for their project_type:
Ask targeted innovation discovery questions: "As we explore {{project_name}}, I'm listening for what makes it innovative.
Innovation Indicators:
What aspects of {{project_name}} feel most innovative to you?"
If innovation signals are found, explore deeply:
If relevant innovation detected, consider web search for context:
Use web_search_triggers from project-type CSV:
[web_search_triggers] {concept} innovations {date}
Prepare the content to append to the document:
When saving to document, append these Level 2 and Level 3 sections:
## Innovation & Novel Patterns
### Detected Innovation Areas
[Innovation patterns identified based on conversation]
### Market Context & Competitive Landscape
[Market context and research based on conversation]
### Validation Approach
[Validation methodology based on conversation]
### Risk Mitigation
[Innovation risks and fallbacks based on conversation]
Show the generated innovation content and present choices: "I've identified some innovative aspects of {{project_name}} that differentiate it from existing solutions.
Here's what I'll add to the document:
[Show the complete markdown content from step 5]
What would you like to do? [A] Advanced Elicitation - Let's dive deeper into these innovation opportunities [P] Party Mode - Bring creative perspectives to explore innovation further [C] Continue - Save this and move to Project Type Analysis (Step 7 of 11)"
{outputFile}{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/steps/step-07-project-type.mdIf no genuine innovation signals are found after exploration: "After exploring {{project_name}}, I don't see clear innovation signals that warrant a dedicated innovation section. This is perfectly fine - many successful products are excellent executions of existing concepts rather than breakthrough innovations.
Options: [A] Force innovation exploration - Let's try to find innovative angles [C] Continue - Skip innovation section and move to Project Type Analysis (Step 7 of 11)"
If user selects 'A', proceed with content generation anyway. If 'C', skip this step and load {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/steps/step-07-project-type.md.
When user selects 'C', append the content directly to the document using the structure from step 5.
✅ Innovation signals properly detected from user conversation ✅ Project-type innovation signals used to guide discovery ✅ Genuine innovation explored (not forced creativity) ✅ Validation approach clearly defined for innovative aspects ✅ Risk mitigation strategies identified ✅ A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly ✅ Content properly appended to document when C selected
❌ Forced innovation when none genuinely exists ❌ Not using project-type innovation signals from CSV ❌ Missing market context research for novel concepts ❌ Not addressing validation approach for innovative features ❌ Creating innovation theater without real innovative aspects ❌ Not presenting A/P/C menu after content generation ❌ Appending content without user selecting 'C'
❌ 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
Skip this step and load {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/steps/step-07-project-type.md if:
After user selects 'C' and content is saved to document (or step is skipped), load {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/steps/step-07-project-type.md.
Remember: Do NOT proceed to step-07 until user explicitly selects 'C' from the A/P/C menu (or confirms step skip)!