name: 'step-08-scoping' description: 'Define MVP boundaries and prioritize features across development phases'
nextStepFile: './step-09-functional.md' outputFile: '{planning_artifacts}/prd.md'
advancedElicitationTask: '{project-root}/_bmad/core/workflows/advanced-elicitation/workflow.xml'
Progress: Step 8 of 11 - Next: Functional Requirements
🛑 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 strategic scope decisions that keep projects viable
🎯 EMPHASIZE lean MVP thinking while preserving long-term vision
✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}
Conduct comprehensive scoping exercise to define MVP boundaries and prioritize features across development phases.
Analyze everything documented so far:
Facilitate strategic MVP decisions:
Use structured decision-making for scope:
Must-Have Analysis:
Nice-to-Have Analysis:
Create phased development approach:
Ensure clear progression and dependencies
Core user value delivery
Essential user journeys
Basic functionality that works reliably
Phase 2: Growth
Phase 3: Expansion
Where does your current vision fit in this development sequence?"
Identify and mitigate scoping risks:
Technical Risks: "Looking at your innovation and domain requirements:
Market Risks:
Resource Risks:
Prepare comprehensive scoping section:
## Project Scoping & Phased Development
### MVP Strategy & Philosophy
**MVP Approach:** {{chosen_mvp_approach}}
**Resource Requirements:** {{mvp_team_size_and_skills}}
### MVP Feature Set (Phase 1)
**Core User Journeys Supported:**
{{essential_journeys_for_mvp}}
**Must-Have Capabilities:**
{{list_of_essential_mvp_features}}
### Post-MVP Features
**Phase 2 (Post-MVP):**
{{planned_growth_features}}
**Phase 3 (Expansion):**
{{planned_expansion_features}}
### Risk Mitigation Strategy
**Technical Risks:** {{mitigation_approach}}
**Market Risks:** {{validation_approach}}
**Resource Risks:** {{contingency_approach}}
Present the scoping decisions for review, then display menu:
Display: "Select: [A] Advanced Elicitation [P] Party Mode [C] Continue to Functional Requirements (Step 9 of 11)"
When user selects 'C', append the content directly to the document using the structure from step 6.
✅ Complete PRD document analyzed for scope implications ✅ Strategic MVP approach defined and justified ✅ Clear MVP feature boundaries established ✅ Phased development roadmap created ✅ Key risks identified and mitigation strategies defined ✅ User explicitly agrees to scope decisions ✅ A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly ✅ Content properly appended to document when C selected
❌ Not analyzing the complete PRD before making scoping decisions ❌ Making scope decisions without strategic rationale ❌ Not getting explicit user agreement on MVP boundaries ❌ Missing critical risk analysis ❌ Not creating clear phased development approach ❌ Not presenting A/P/C menu after content generation
❌ 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
After user selects 'C' and content is saved to document, load {nextStepFile}.
Remember: Do NOT proceed to step-09 until user explicitly selects 'C' from the A/P/C menu and content is saved!