doc-brd
Purpose
Create Business Requirements Documents (BRD) - Layer 1 artifact in the SDD workflow that defines high-level business needs, strategic objectives, and success criteria.
Layer: 1 (Entry point - no upstream dependencies)
Downstream Artifacts: PRD (Layer 2), EARS (Layer 3), BDD (Layer 4), ADR (Layer 5)
MVP → PROD → NEW MVP Lifecycle
Key Principle: Each BRD represents ONE iteration cycle.
BRD-01 (MVP) → Production v1 → Feedback → BRD-02 (NEW MVP) → Production v2 → ...
Phase BRD Action Duration
MVP Create BRD with 5-15 core features 1-2 weeks
PROD Operate, measure, collect feedback 30-90 days
NEW MVP Create NEW BRD for next features 1-2 weeks
Rules:
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New features = New BRD (don't expand existing BRDs indefinitely)
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Each BRD should have 5-15 focused requirements
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Link cycles via Cross-BRD Dependencies (@depends: BRD-01 )
Prerequisites
Upstream Artifact Verification (CRITICAL)
Before creating this document, you MUST:
List existing upstream artifacts:
ls docs/01_BRD/ docs/02_PRD/ docs/03_EARS/ docs/04_BDD/ docs/05_ADR/ docs/06_SYS/ docs/07_REQ/ 2>/dev/null
Reference only existing documents in traceability tags
Use null only when upstream artifact type genuinely doesn't exist
NEVER use placeholders like BRD-XXX or TBD
Do NOT create missing upstream artifacts - skip functionality instead
Before creating a BRD, read:
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Shared Standards: .claude/skills/doc-flow/SHARED_CONTENT.md
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Template: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-MVP-TEMPLATE.md
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Creation Rules: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_CREATION_RULES.md
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Validation Rules: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_VALIDATION_RULES.md
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Platform vs Feature Guide: ai_dev_ssd_flow/PLATFORM_VS_FEATURE_BRD.md
For New Projects: Use project-init skill first to initialize project structure.
Pre-Flight Check (MANDATORY)
Before creating ANY BRD section, confirm:
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✅ Read ai_dev_ssd_flow/ID_NAMING_STANDARDS.md
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Element Type Codes table
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✅ Element ID format: BRD.{DOC_NUM}.{ELEM_TYPE}.{SEQ} (4 segments, dots)
Common Element Types:
Code Type Example
01 Functional Requirement BRD.02.01.01
06 Acceptance Criteria BRD.02.06.01
23 Business Objective BRD.02.23.01
32 Architecture Topic BRD.02.32.01
⚠️ Removed Patterns: Do NOT use AC-XXX , FR-XXX , BC-XXX , BO-XXX formats.
When to Use This Skill
Use doc-brd when:
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Starting a new project or feature
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Defining business requirements and objectives
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Documenting strategic alignment and market context
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Establishing success criteria and stakeholder needs
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Translating implementation plans into business-language BRD sections
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Refining BRDs generated from small reference documents or prompt-first workflows
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You are at Layer 1 of the SDD workflow
BRD Categorization: Platform vs Feature
CRITICAL DECISION: Before creating a BRD, determine if it's a Platform BRD or Feature BRD.
Questionnaire
Does this BRD define infrastructure, technology stack, or cross-cutting concerns?
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Yes → Likely Platform BRD
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No → Continue
Does this BRD describe a specific user-facing workflow or feature?
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Yes → Likely Feature BRD
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No → Continue
Will other BRDs depend on or reference this BRD's architectural decisions?
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Yes → Likely Platform BRD
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No → Likely Feature BRD
Does this BRD establish patterns, standards, or capabilities used across multiple features?
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Yes → Platform BRD
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No → Feature BRD
Does this BRD implement functionality on top of existing platform capabilities?
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Yes → Feature BRD
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No → Platform BRD
Auto-Detection Logic
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Title contains "Platform", "Architecture", "Infrastructure", "Integration" → Platform BRD
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Title contains specific workflow names, user types (B2C, B2B), or feature names → Feature BRD
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References/depends on BRD-01 or foundation ADRs → Feature BRD
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Establishes technology choices or system-wide patterns → Platform BRD
Workflow Differences
Platform BRD Path:
- Create Platform BRD (populate sections 3.6 and 3.7)
- Create ADRs for critical technology decisions (identified in BRD sections 3.6/3.7)
- Create PRD referencing Platform BRD and ADRs
- Create additional ADRs for implementation details
- Continue to SPEC
Feature BRD Path:
- Create Feature BRD (reference Platform BRD in sections 3.6 and 3.7)
- Create PRD for feature
- Create ADRs for implementation decisions (if needed)
- Continue to SPEC
Section 3.6 & 3.7 Rules
Platform BRD:
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MUST populate Section 3.6 (Technology Stack Prerequisites) with detailed technology choices
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MUST populate Section 3.7 (Mandatory Technology Conditions) with non-negotiable constraints
Feature BRD:
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MUST mark Section 3.6 as "N/A - See Platform BRD-NN Section 3.6" and reference specific items
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MUST mark Section 3.7 as "N/A - See Platform BRD-NN Section 3.7" and reference specific conditions
Reference: ai_dev_ssd_flow/PLATFORM_VS_FEATURE_BRD.md for detailed guidance
BRD-Specific Guidance
- Template Selection
Primary Template:
BRD-MVP-TEMPLATE.md - Comprehensive business requirements (general purpose)
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Use for: All business requirements documents
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Sections: Complete 18-section structure
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Best for: Complex projects, regulatory compliance needs
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Location: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-MVP-TEMPLATE.md
Note: Use the comprehensive template for all BRD documents. For simpler requirements, complete only the essential sections and mark others as "N/A - Not applicable for this scope".
Note: Technical QA standards, testing strategy, and defect management are documented in PRD-TEMPLATE.md Section 21 (product level).
Nested Folder Rule (MANDATORY): ALL BRDs MUST be in nested folders regardless of document size.
Structure Format Use When
Monolithic docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN_{slug}.md
Single-file documents ≤25KB
Section-Based docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN.S_{section}.md
Documents >25KB
Monolithic Structure - for MVP/small documents:
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Location: docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN_{slug}.md (INSIDE nested folder)
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H1 Title: # BRD-NN: Document Title (no .S suffix)
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Template: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-MVP-TEMPLATE.md
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CRITICAL: Even monolithic BRDs MUST be in a nested folder
Section-Based Structure - for large/complex documents:
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Location: docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN.S_{section}.md
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Folder Naming: BRD-NN_{slug}/ where slug MUST match the index file slug
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H1 Title: # BRD-NN.S: Section Title (includes .S suffix)
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Index template: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-SECTION-0-TEMPLATE.md
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Content template: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-SECTION-TEMPLATE.md
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Reference: ai_dev_ssd_flow/ID_NAMING_STANDARDS.md (Section-Based File Splitting)
- Required Sections (18 Total)
Document Control (MANDATORY - First section before all numbered sections):
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Project Name
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Document Version
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Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
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Document Owner
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Prepared By
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Status (Draft, In Review, Approved, Superseded)
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Document Revision History table
Core Sections (18-Section Structure):
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Introduction - Purpose, scope, audience
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Business Objectives - Goals, hypothesis, metrics
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Project Scope - Boundaries, workflows
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Stakeholders - Decision makers
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User Stories - High-level needs
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Functional Requirements - Business capabilities
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Quality Attributes - Performance, security, ADR Topics (Section 7.2)
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Business Constraints and Assumptions - Limitations
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Acceptance Criteria - Success measures
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Business Risk Management - Risk register
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Implementation Approach - Phases, rollout
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Support and Maintenance - Support model
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Cost-Benefit Analysis - ROI, costs
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Project Governance - Decision authority, approval (14.5)
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Quality Assurance - QA standards, testing strategy
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Traceability - Requirements matrix, health score
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Glossary - Terms (6 subsections: 17.1-17.6)
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Appendices - Supporting materials and references
Platform BRD Additional Sections:
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3.6 Technology Stack Prerequisites (MUST populate for Platform BRD)
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3.7 Mandatory Technology Conditions (MUST populate for Platform BRD)
- Upstream Source Configuration
BRDs can be created with or without upstream reference documents.
Default: No Upstream Sources
Most BRDs are created from stakeholder interviews, product ideas, or business requirements without formal source documents. Use the default configuration:
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "none" # Default - no drift detection
With Reference Documents
If BRD content is derived from documents in docs/00_REF/ , configure tracking:
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "ref" upstream_ref_path: "../../00_REF/source_docs/" # Relative to BRD location
With Implementation Plans (IPLAN-* )
If BRD content is primarily derived from an implementation plan, keep drift mode default unless reference documents are primary:
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "none"
When implementation plan input is supplemented by reference documents, set upstream_mode: "ref" and track only the reference path(s) in upstream_ref_path .
Multiple Reference Folders
For nested or multiple reference folders:
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "ref" upstream_ref_path: - "../../00_REF/source_docs/" - "../../00_REF/foundation/" - "../../00_REF/internal_ops/cloud_cost_monitoring/"
Path Resolution
Paths are relative to the BRD file location:
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BRD at: docs/01_BRD/BRD-01_platform/BRD-01.0_index.md
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REF at: docs/00_REF/source_docs/
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Path: "../../00_REF/source_docs/"
Behavior Summary
upstream_mode upstream_ref_path Drift Detection
"none" (default) ignored Skipped
"ref"
required Tracks specified path(s)
Input Mode Authoring Guardrail
For plan-derived BRDs:
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Convert implementation-heavy details into business outcomes, risks, and acceptance criteria.
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Keep low-level execution mechanics in the IPLAN, not in BRD functional requirements.
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If objective/scope in source inputs conflict, resolve before writing BRD sections 1-3.
- Architecture Decision Requirements Section (7.2) - MANDATORY
Purpose: Identify architectural topics requiring decisions with cost-focused, alternatives-based analysis.
Every BRD MUST include Section 7.2: "Architecture Decision Requirements" addressing all 7 mandatory ADR topic categories.
7 Mandatory ADR Topic Categories
Category Element ID Description When N/A
1 Infrastructure BRD.NN.32.01 Compute, deployment, scaling Pure data/analytics project
2 Data Architecture BRD.NN.32.02 Database, storage, caching No persistent data needed
3 Integration BRD.NN.32.03 APIs, messaging, external systems Standalone system
4 Security BRD.NN.32.04 Auth, encryption, access control Internal tool, no sensitive data
5 Observability BRD.NN.32.05 Monitoring, logging, alerting MVP/prototype only
6 AI/ML BRD.NN.32.06 Model serving, training, MLOps No AI/ML components
7 Technology Selection BRD.NN.32.07 Languages, frameworks, platforms Using existing stack
Element Type Code: 32 = Architecture Topic
Required Fields Per Topic
Field Description Required For
Status Selected , Pending , or N/A
All topics
Business Driver WHY this decision matters to business Selected/Pending
Business Constraints Non-negotiable business rules Selected/Pending
Alternatives Overview MANDATORY table with cost estimates Selected
Cloud Provider Comparison MANDATORY GCP/Azure/AWS comparison Selected
Recommended Selection Selected option with rationale Selected
PRD Requirements What PRD must elaborate All topics
Alternatives Overview Table (MANDATORY for Selected status)
Alternatives Overview:
| Option | Function | Est. Monthly Cost | Selection Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serverless | Event-driven compute | $200-$800 | Selected - cost-effective |
| Kubernetes | Container orchestration | $500-$2,000 | Rejected - over-engineered |
| VM-based | Traditional VMs | $400-$1,500 | Rejected - manual scaling |
Cloud Provider Comparison Table (MANDATORY for Selected status)
Cloud Provider Comparison:
| Criterion | GCP | Azure | AWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Name | Cloud Run | Container Apps | Fargate |
| Est. Monthly Cost | $300 | $350 | $400 |
| Key Strength | Auto-scaling | AD integration | Ecosystem |
| Key Limitation | Fewer features | Higher cost | Complex pricing |
| Fit for This Project | High | Medium | Medium |
Complete Topic Example
BRD.01.32.01: Infrastructure
Status: Selected
Business Driver: Customer onboarding workflow requires scalable compute for variable registration volumes.
Business Constraints:
- Must support auto-scaling for peak periods (10x baseline)
- Maximum infrastructure cost: $5,000/month
- 99.9% availability during business hours
Alternatives Overview:
| Option | Function | Est. Monthly Cost | Selection Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serverless (Cloud Functions) | Event-driven compute | $200-$800 | Selected - cost-effective for variable load |
| Kubernetes (GKE/EKS) | Container orchestration | $500-$2,000 | Rejected - over-engineered for this scale |
| VM-based (Compute Engine) | Traditional VMs | $400-$1,500 | Rejected - manual scaling overhead |
Cloud Provider Comparison:
| Criterion | GCP | Azure | AWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Name | Cloud Run | Container Apps | Lambda + Fargate |
| Est. Monthly Cost | $300 | $350 | $400 |
| Key Strength | Simple container deployment | Azure AD integration | Largest ecosystem |
| Key Limitation | Fewer enterprise features | Higher baseline cost | Complex pricing |
| Fit for This Project | High | Medium | Medium |
Recommended Selection: GCP Cloud Run - serverless containers with optimal cost-to-scale ratio.
PRD Requirements: Evaluate cold start impact on latency. Specify concurrency limits and scaling policies.
Handling N/A and Pending Status
N/A Example:
BRD.01.32.06: AI/ML Architecture
Status: N/A - No AI/ML components in project scope
Reason: This feature uses standard rule-based validation. No machine learning, AI agents, or predictive analytics required.
PRD Requirements: None for current scope. Flag for Phase 2 evaluation if ML-based fraud detection needed.
Pending Example:
BRD.01.32.05: Observability
Status: Pending - Awaiting infrastructure finalization
Business Driver: System monitoring required for SLA compliance.
Business Constraints:
- Real-time alerting for system failures
- Minimum 30-day log retention
Alternatives Overview: [Placeholder - To be completed after infrastructure selection]
PRD Requirements: Complete observability analysis after infrastructure finalization.
Layer Separation Principle
BRD Section 7.2 → PRD Section 18 → ADR (WHAT & WHY & HOW MUCH) (HOW to evaluate) (Final decision) ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Business drivers Technical details Implementation decision Business constraints Deep-dive analysis Trade-off analysis Cost estimates Evaluation criteria Selected approach
Do NOT write: "See ADR-033" or "Reference ADR-045" (ADRs don't exist yet)
Reference: See ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_CREATION_RULES.md Section 9 for complete guidelines
- Document Control Section Positioning
CRITICAL: Document Control MUST be the first section at the very top of the BRD (before all numbered sections).
Correct Structure:
BRD-01: Project Name
Document Control
[All metadata fields here]
1. Executive Summary
[Content here]
Cumulative Tagging Requirements
Layer 1 (BRD): No upstream tags required (entry point)
Tag Count: 0 tags
Format: BRD has no @ tags since it's Layer 1 (top of hierarchy)
Downstream artifacts will tag BRD (using unified format):
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PRD will include: @brd: BRD.01.01.30 (TYPE.NN.TT.SS format)
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EARS will include: @brd: BRD.01.01.30
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All downstream artifacts inherit BRD tags
Tag Format Convention (By Design)
The SDD framework uses two distinct notation systems for cross-references:
Notation Format Artifacts Purpose
Dash TYPE-NN ADR, SPEC, CTR Technical artifacts - references to files/documents
Dot TYPE.NN.TT.SS BRD, PRD, EARS, BDD, SYS, REQ, IMPL, TASKS Hierarchical artifacts - references to elements inside documents
Key Distinction:
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@adr: ADR-033 → Points to the document ADR-033_risk_limit_enforcement.md
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@brd: BRD.17.01.01 → Points to element 01.01 inside document BRD-017.md
Unified Element ID Format (MANDATORY)
For hierarchical requirements (BRD, PRD, EARS, BDD, SYS, REQ):
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Always use: TYPE.NN.TT.SS (dot separator, 4-segment unified format)
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Never use: TYPE-NN:NNN (colon separator - DEPRECATED)
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Never use: TYPE.NN.TT (3-segment format - DEPRECATED)
Examples:
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@brd: BRD.17.01.01 ✅
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@brd: BRD.017.001 ❌ (old 3-segment format)
Upstream/Downstream Artifacts
Upstream Sources (what drives BRD creation):
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Reference documents (docs/00_REF/ ) - if upstream_mode: "ref"
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Business owner requirements (verbal/written)
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Stakeholder interviews
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Market analysis
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Product ideas
Downstream Artifacts (what BRD drives):
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PRD (Layer 2) - Product requirements derived from BRD
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EARS (Layer 3) - Formal requirements from BRD business needs
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BDD (Layer 4) - Test scenarios validating BRD objectives
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ADR (Layer 5) - Architecture decisions for topics identified in BRD Section "Architecture Decision Requirements"
Same-Type Document Relationships (conditional):
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@related-brd: BRD-NN
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BRDs sharing business domain context
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@depends-brd: BRD-NN
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BRD that must be implemented first (e.g., platform BRD before feature BRD)
Creation Process
Step 1: Determine BRD Type
Use questionnaire above to determine Platform vs Feature BRD.
Step 2: Read Strategy Documents
Read relevant {project_root}/strategy/ sections to understand business logic.
Step 3: Select Template
Choose appropriate template (comprehensive, simplified, or domain-specific).
Step 4: Reserve ID Number
Check docs/01_BRD/ for next available ID number (e.g., BRD-01, BRD-02).
ID Numbering Convention: Start with 2 digits and expand only as needed.
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✅ Correct: BRD-01, BRD-99, BRD-102
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❌ Incorrect: BRD-001, BRD-009 (extra leading zero not required)
Step 5: Create BRD Folder and Files
Folder structure (DEFAULT - nested folder per document with descriptive slug):
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Create folder: docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/ (folder slug MUST match index file slug)
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Create index file: docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN.0_{section_type}.md (shortened, PREFERRED)
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Create section files: docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN.S_{section_type}.md (shortened, PREFERRED)
Example (Shortened Pattern - PREFERRED):
docs/01_BRD/BRD-01_platform_architecture/ ├── BRD-01.0_index.md ├── BRD-01.1_executive_summary.md ├── BRD-01.2_business_context.md └── BRD-01.3_requirements.md
Note: Folder contains descriptive slug, so filenames can omit it. Full pattern (BRD-01.0_platform_architecture_index.md ) also accepted for backward compatibility.
Monolithic Option (for small documents ≤25KB): docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_{slug}/BRD-NN_{slug}.md (still in nested folder)
Step 6: Fill Document Control Section
Complete all required metadata fields and initialize Document Revision History table.
Step 7: Complete Core Sections
Fill all 18 required sections following template structure.
Platform BRD: Populate sections 3.6 and 3.7 with technology details Feature BRD: Mark sections 3.6 and 3.7 as "N/A - See Platform BRD-NN"
Step 8: Document Architecture Decision Requirements
List topics needing architectural decisions (do NOT reference specific ADR numbers).
Step 9: Configure Upstream Sources
If BRD is derived from reference documents in docs/00_REF/ :
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "ref" upstream_ref_path: "../../00_REF/source_docs/"
If BRD created from scratch (stakeholder input, product ideas):
custom_fields: upstream_mode: "none" # Default - drift detection skipped
Step 10: Create/Update Traceability Matrix
MANDATORY: Create or update docs/01_BRD/BRD-00_TRACEABILITY_MATRIX.md
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Use template: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD-00_TRACEABILITY_MATRIX-TEMPLATE.md
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Add BRD entry with upstream sources and downstream artifacts
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Update traceability matrix in same commit after BRD validation passes (see SHARED_CONTENT.md Traceability Matrix Update Workflow)
Step 11: Validate BRD
Run unified BRD validation wrapper (primary gate):
Core blocking checks (used by pre-commit and CI)
bash ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd_wrapper.sh docs/01_BRD --skip-advisory
Optional full tiered run (includes advisory checks)
bash ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd_wrapper.sh docs/01_BRD
Step 12: Commit Changes
Commit BRD file and traceability matrix together.
Validation
Automated Validation
BRD-Specific Validation:
bash ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd_wrapper.sh docs/01_BRD --skip-advisory
Quality Gates Validation:
./scripts/validate_quality_gates.sh docs/01_BRD/BRD-01_platform.md
Manual Checklist
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Document Control section at top (before all numbered sections)
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All required metadata fields completed
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Document Revision History table initialized
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BRD type determined (Platform vs Feature)
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Sections 3.6 & 3.7 handled correctly for BRD type
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Architecture Decision Requirements listed (no ADR numbers referenced)
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Strategy references in Traceability section
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All 18 sections completed
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Traceability matrix created/updated
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No broken links
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File size <50,000 tokens (standard) or <100,000 tokens (maximum)
Diagram Standards
All diagrams MUST use Mermaid syntax. Text-based diagrams (ASCII art, box drawings) are prohibited. See: ai_dev_ssd_flow/DIAGRAM_STANDARDS.md and mermaid-gen skill.
BRD Diagram Contract (MANDATORY):
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Include @diagram: c4-l1 and @diagram: dfd-l0
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If sequence diagram exists, include one sequence contract tag (@diagram: sequence-sync|sequence-async|sequence-error )
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Add intent header fields above each required diagram block: diagram_type , level , scope_boundary , upstream_refs , downstream_refs
Common Pitfalls
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Referencing ADR numbers: Don't write "See ADR-033" in Architecture Decision Requirements section (ADRs don't exist yet)
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Wrong sections 3.6/3.7 treatment: Platform BRD must populate, Feature BRD must reference Platform BRD
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Wrong upstream_mode: Set upstream_mode: "ref" only if deriving from docs/00_REF/ documents
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Document Control not first: Must be at very top before all numbered sections
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Skipping traceability matrix: MANDATORY to create/update matrix
Post-Creation Validation (MANDATORY - NO CONFIRMATION)
CRITICAL: Execute this validation loop IMMEDIATELY after document creation. Do NOT proceed to next document until validation passes.
Automatic Validation Loop
LOOP:
- Run BRD template validation script
- IF errors found: Fix issues
- IF warnings found: Review and address
- IF unfixable issues: Log for manual review, continue
- IF clean: Mark VALIDATED, proceed
Validation Command
Unified BRD core validation (primary)
bash ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd_wrapper.sh docs/01_BRD --skip-advisory
Unified BRD full tiered validation (optional)
bash ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd_wrapper.sh docs/01_BRD
Component-level diagnostics (secondary, optional)
python ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/scripts/validate_brd.py docs/01_BRD/BRD-NN_slug.md
Layer-Specific Upstream Requirements
This Layer Required Upstream Tags Count
BRD (Layer 1) None (entry point) 0 tags
Auto-Fix Actions (No Confirmation Required)
Issue Fix Action
Invalid tag format Correct to TYPE.NN.TT.SS (4-segment) or TYPE-NN format
Broken link Recalculate path from current location
Missing traceability section Insert from template
Validation Codes Reference
Code Description Severity
XDOC-006 Tag format invalid ERROR
XDOC-008 Broken internal link ERROR
XDOC-009 Missing traceability section ERROR
Quality Gate
Blocking: YES - Cannot proceed to next document until Phase 1 validation passes with 0 errors.
Next Skill
After creating BRD, use:
doc-prd
- Create Product Requirements Document (Layer 2)
The PRD will:
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Reference this BRD as upstream source
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Include @brd: BRD.NN.01.SS tags (unified 4-segment format)
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Define product features and KPIs
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Inherit Architecture Decision Requirements topics
Reference Documents
For supplementary documentation related to BRD artifacts:
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Format: BRD-REF-NNN_{slug}.md
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Skill: Use doc-ref skill
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Validation: Reduced (4 checks only)
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Examples: Project overviews, executive summaries, stakeholder guides
BRD-REF Ready-Score Exemption
BRD-REF documents are EXEMPT from ready-scores and quality gates:
Standard BRD BRD-REF
PRD-Ready Score: ✅ Required (≥90%) PRD-Ready Score: NOT APPLICABLE
Cumulative tags: Required Cumulative tags: NOT REQUIRED
Quality gates: Full validation Quality gates: EXEMPT
Format: Structured 18 sections Format: Free format, business-oriented
Purpose: BRD-REF documents are reference targets that other documents link to. They provide supporting information, context, or external references but do not define formal business requirements.
Reference: See ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_VALIDATION_RULES.md for validation details.
Related Resources
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Main Guide: ai_dev_ssd_flow/SPEC_DRIVEN_DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md
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Platform vs Feature Guide: ai_dev_ssd_flow/PLATFORM_VS_FEATURE_BRD.md
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BRD Creation Rules: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_CREATION_RULES.md
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BRD Validation Rules: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/BRD_MVP_VALIDATION_RULES.md
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BRD README: ai_dev_ssd_flow/01_BRD/README.md
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Shared Standards: .claude/skills/doc-flow/SHARED_CONTENT.md
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BRD Audit Skill: .claude/skills/doc-brd-audit/SKILL.md (unified; deprecated: doc-brd-validator, doc-brd-reviewer)
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Naming Standards Skill: .claude/skills/doc-naming/SKILL.md
Quick Reference
BRD Purpose: Define business needs and objectives
Layer: 1 (Entry point)
Tags Required: None (0 tags)
Key Decision: Platform vs Feature BRD
Critical Sections:
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3.6 Technology Stack Prerequisites (Platform BRD populates, Feature BRD references)
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3.7 Mandatory Technology Conditions (Platform BRD populates, Feature BRD references)
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Architecture Decision Requirements (list topics, NOT ADR numbers)
Next: doc-prd
Version History
Version Date Changes
2.3 2026-03-01 Updated reference to doc-brd-audit (unified 2-skill model); deprecated doc-brd-validator and doc-brd-reviewer
2.2 2026-02-25 Updated 18-section structure with correct section names; Added sections 12 (Support), 14 (Governance with 14.5 Approval), 15 (QA), expanded 16 (Traceability with 16.1-16.4), expanded 17 (Glossary with 17.1-17.6)
2.1 2026-02-24 Added upstream_mode and upstream_ref_path fields for optional drift detection; Removed mandatory @strategy: tags (not applicable universally); Updated Section 3 to Upstream Source Configuration
2.0 2026-02-08 Added element code 32 (Architecture Topic); Added Section 7.2 (Architecture Decision Requirements) with 7 mandatory topic categories; Updated to 18-section structure; Integrated doc-naming skill for element ID validation; Added Alternatives Overview and Cloud Provider Comparison tables
1.0 2025-01-06 Initial version