bmad-method 6.0.0-alpha.2 → 6.0.0-alpha.21

package/src/modules/bmm/docs/scale-adaptive-system.md

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+# BMad Method Scale Adaptive System
+
+**Automatically adapts workflows to project complexity - from quick fixes to enterprise systems**
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+The **Scale Adaptive System** intelligently routes projects to the right planning methodology based on complexity, not arbitrary story counts.
+
+### The Problem
+
+Traditional methodologies apply the same process to every project:
+
+- Bug fix requires full design docs
+- Enterprise system built with minimal planning
+- One-size-fits-none approach
+
+### The Solution
+
+BMad Method adapts to three distinct planning tracks:
+
+- **Quick Flow**: Tech-spec only, implement immediately
+- **BMad Method**: PRD + Architecture, structured approach
+- **Enterprise Method**: Full planning with security/devops/test
+
+**Result**: Right planning depth for every project.
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+### Three Tracks at a Glance
+
+| Track                 | Planning Depth        | Best For                                   |
+| --------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
+| **Quick Flow**        | Tech-spec only        | Simple features, bug fixes, clear scope    |
+| **BMad Method**       | PRD + Arch + UX       | Products, platforms, complex features      |
+| **Enterprise Method** | Method + Test/Sec/Ops | Enterprise needs, compliance, multi-tenant |
+
+### Decision Tree
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    START{Describe your project}
+
+    START -->|Bug fix, simple feature| Q1{Scope crystal clear?}
+    START -->|Product, platform, complex| M[BMad Method<br/>PRD + Architecture]
+    START -->|Enterprise, compliance| E[Enterprise Method<br/>Extended Planning]
+
+    Q1 -->|Yes| QF[Quick Flow<br/>Tech-spec only]
+    Q1 -->|Uncertain| M
+
+    style QF fill:#bfb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
+    style M fill:#bbf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
+    style E fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
+```
+
+### Quick Keywords
+
+- **Quick Flow**: fix, bug, simple, add, clear scope
+- **BMad Method**: product, platform, dashboard, complex, multiple features
+- **Enterprise Method**: enterprise, multi-tenant, compliance, security, audit
+
+---
+
+## How Track Selection Works
+
+When you run `workflow-init`, it guides you through an educational choice:
+
+### 1. Description Analysis
+
+Analyzes your project description for complexity indicators and suggests an appropriate track.
+
+### 2. Educational Presentation
+
+Shows all three tracks with:
+
+- Time investment
+- Planning approach
+- Benefits and trade-offs
+- AI agent support level
+- Concrete examples
+
+### 3. Honest Recommendation
+
+Provides tailored recommendation based on:
+
+- Complexity keywords
+- Greenfield vs brownfield
+- User's description
+
+### 4. User Choice
+
+You choose the track that fits your situation. The system guides but never forces.
+
+**Example:**
+
+```
+workflow-init: "Based on 'Add user dashboard with analytics', I recommend BMad Method.
+               This involves multiple features and system design. The PRD + Architecture
+               gives AI agents complete context for better code generation."
+
+You: "Actually, this is simpler than it sounds. Quick Flow."
+
+workflow-init: "Got it! Using Quick Flow with tech-spec."
+```
+
+---
+
+## The Three Tracks
+
+### Track 1: Quick Flow
+
+**Definition**: Fast implementation with tech-spec planning.
+
+**Time**: Hours to 1 day of planning
+
+**Planning Docs**:
+
+- Tech-spec.md (implementation-focused)
+- Story files (1-15 typically, auto-detects epic structure)
+
+**Workflow Path**:
+
+```
+(Brownfield: document-project first if needed)
+↓
+Tech-Spec → Implement
+```
+
+**Use For**:
+
+- Bug fixes
+- Simple features
+- Enhancements with clear scope
+- Quick additions
+
+**Story Count**: Typically 1-15 stories (guidance, not rule)
+
+**Example**: "Fix authentication token expiration bug"
+
+**AI Agent Support**: Basic - minimal context provided
+
+**Trade-off**: Less planning = higher rework risk if complexity emerges
+
+---
+
+### Track 2: BMad Method (RECOMMENDED)
+
+**Definition**: Full product + system design planning.
+
+**Time**: 1-3 days of planning
+
+**Planning Docs**:
+
+- PRD.md (functional and non-functional requirements)
+- Architecture.md (system design)
+- UX Design (if UI components)
+- Epics and Stories (created after architecture)
+
+**Workflow Path**:
+
+```
+(Brownfield: document-project first if needed)
+↓
+(Optional: Analysis phase - brainstorm, research, product brief)
+↓
+PRD → (Optional UX) → Architecture → Create Epics and Stories → Implementation Readiness Check → Implement
+```
+
+**Complete Workflow Visualization**:
+
+![BMad Method Workflow - Standard Greenfield](./images/workflow-method-greenfield.svg)
+
+_Detailed flowchart showing all phases, workflows, agents (color-coded), and decision points for the BMad Method track. Each colored box represents a different agent role._
+
+**Use For**:
+
+**Greenfield**:
+
+- Products
+- Platforms
+- Multi-feature initiatives
+
+**Brownfield**:
+
+- Complex additions (new UIs + APIs)
+- Major refactors
+- New modules
+
+**Story Count**: Typically 10-50+ stories (guidance, not rule)
+
+**Examples**:
+
+- "User dashboard with analytics and preferences"
+- "Add real-time collaboration to existing document editor"
+- "Payment integration system"
+
+**AI Agent Support**: Exceptional - complete context for coding partnership
+
+**Why Architecture for Brownfield?**
+
+Your brownfield documentation might be huge. Architecture workflow distills massive codebase context into a focused solution design specific to YOUR project. This keeps AI agents focused without getting lost in existing code.
+
+**Benefits**:
+
+- Complete AI agent context
+- Prevents architectural drift
+- Fewer surprises during implementation
+- Better code quality
+- Faster overall delivery (planning pays off)
+
+---
+
+### Track 3: Enterprise Method
+
+**Definition**: Extended planning with security, devops, and test strategy.
+
+**Time**: 3-7 days of planning
+
+**Planning Docs**:
+
+- All BMad Method docs PLUS:
+- Security Architecture
+- DevOps Strategy
+- Test Strategy
+- Compliance documentation
+
+**Workflow Path**:
+
+```
+(Brownfield: document-project nearly mandatory)
+↓
+Analysis (recommended/required) → PRD → UX → Architecture
+↓
+Create Epics and Stories
+↓
+Security Architecture → DevOps Strategy → Test Strategy
+↓
+Implementation Readiness Check → Implement
+```
+
+**Use For**:
+
+- Enterprise requirements
+- Multi-tenant systems
+- Compliance needs (HIPAA, SOC2, etc.)
+- Mission-critical systems
+- Security-sensitive applications
+
+**Story Count**: Typically 30+ stories (but defined by enterprise needs, not count)
+
+**Examples**:
+
+- "Multi-tenant SaaS platform"
+- "HIPAA-compliant patient portal"
+- "Add SOC2 audit logging to enterprise app"
+
+**AI Agent Support**: Elite - comprehensive enterprise planning
+
+**Critical for Enterprise**:
+
+- Security architecture and threat modeling
+- DevOps pipeline planning
+- Comprehensive test strategy
+- Risk assessment
+- Compliance mapping
+
+---
+
+## Planning Documents by Track
+
+### Quick Flow Documents
+
+**Created**: Upfront in Planning Phase
+
+**Tech-Spec**:
+
+- Problem statement and solution
+- Source tree changes
+- Technical implementation details
+- Detected stack and conventions (brownfield)
+- UX/UI considerations (if user-facing)
+- Testing strategy
+
+**Serves as**: Complete planning document (replaces PRD + Architecture)
+
+---
+
+### BMad Method Documents
+
+**Created**: Upfront in Planning and Solutioning Phases
+
+**PRD (Product Requirements Document)**:
+
+- Product vision and goals
+- Functional requirements (FRs)
+- Non-functional requirements (NFRs)
+- Success criteria
+- User experience considerations
+- Business context
+
+**Note**: Epics and stories are created AFTER architecture in the create-epics-and-stories workflow
+
+**Architecture Document**:
+
+- System components and responsibilities
+- Data models and schemas
+- Integration patterns
+- Security architecture
+- Performance considerations
+- Deployment architecture
+
+**For Brownfield**: Acts as focused "solution design" that distills existing codebase into integration plan
+
+---
+
+### Enterprise Method Documents
+
+**Created**: Extended planning across multiple phases
+
+Includes all BMad Method documents PLUS:
+
+**Security Architecture**:
+
+- Threat modeling
+- Authentication/authorization design
+- Data protection strategy
+- Audit requirements
+
+**DevOps Strategy**:
+
+- CI/CD pipeline design
+- Infrastructure architecture
+- Monitoring and alerting
+- Disaster recovery
+
+**Test Strategy**:
+
+- Test approach and coverage
+- Automation strategy
+- Quality gates
+- Performance testing
+
+---
+
+## Workflow Comparison
+
+| Track           | Analysis    | Planning  | Architecture | Security/Ops | Typical Stories |
+| --------------- | ----------- | --------- | ------------ | ------------ | --------------- |
+| **Quick Flow**  | Optional    | Tech-spec | None         | None         | 1-15            |
+| **BMad Method** | Recommended | PRD + UX  | Required     | None         | 10-50+          |
+| **Enterprise**  | Required    | PRD + UX  | Required     | Required     | 30+             |
+
+**Note**: Story counts are GUIDANCE based on typical usage, NOT definitions of tracks.
+
+---
+
+## Brownfield Projects
+
+### Critical First Step
+
+For ALL brownfield projects: Run `document-project` BEFORE planning workflows.
+
+### Why document-project is Critical
+
+**Quick Flow** uses it for:
+
+- Auto-detecting existing patterns
+- Understanding codebase structure
+- Confirming conventions
+
+**BMad Method** uses it for:
+
+- Architecture inputs (existing structure)
+- Integration design
+- Pattern consistency
+
+**Enterprise Method** uses it for:
+
+- Security analysis
+- Integration architecture
+- Risk assessment
+
+### Brownfield Workflow Pattern
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    START([Brownfield Project])
+    CHECK{Has docs/<br/>index.md?}
+
+    START --> CHECK
+    CHECK -->|No| DOC[document-project workflow<br/>10-30 min]
+    CHECK -->|Yes| TRACK[Choose Track]
+
+    DOC --> TRACK
+    TRACK -->|Quick| QF[Tech-Spec]
+    TRACK -->|Method| M[PRD + Arch]
+    TRACK -->|Enterprise| E[PRD + Arch + Sec/Ops]
+
+    style DOC fill:#ffb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
+    style TRACK fill:#bfb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
+```
+
+---
+
+## Common Scenarios
+
+### Scenario 1: Bug Fix (Quick Flow)
+
+**Input**: "Fix email validation bug in login form"
+
+**Detection**: Keywords "fix", "bug"
+
+**Track**: Quick Flow
+
+**Workflow**:
+
+1. (Optional) Brief analysis
+2. Tech-spec with single story
+3. Implement immediately
+
+**Time**: 2-4 hours total
+
+---
+
+### Scenario 2: Small Feature (Quick Flow)
+
+**Input**: "Add OAuth social login (Google, GitHub, Facebook)"
+
+**Detection**: Keywords "add", "feature", clear scope
+
+**Track**: Quick Flow
+
+**Workflow**:
+
+1. (Optional) Research OAuth providers
+2. Tech-spec with 3 stories
+3. Implement story-by-story
+
+**Time**: 1-3 days
+
+---
+
+### Scenario 3: Customer Portal (BMad Method)
+
+**Input**: "Build customer portal with dashboard, tickets, billing"
+
+**Detection**: Keywords "portal", "dashboard", multiple features
+
+**Track**: BMad Method
+
+**Workflow**:
+
+1. (Recommended) Product Brief
+2. PRD (FRs/NFRs)
+3. (If UI) UX Design
+4. Architecture (system design)
+5. Create Epics and Stories
+6. Implementation Readiness Check
+7. Implement with sprint planning
+
+**Time**: 1-2 weeks
+
+---
+
+### Scenario 4: E-commerce Platform (BMad Method)
+
+**Input**: "Build e-commerce platform with products, cart, checkout, admin, analytics"
+
+**Detection**: Keywords "platform", multiple subsystems
+
+**Track**: BMad Method
+
+**Workflow**:
+
+1. Research + Product Brief
+2. Comprehensive PRD (FRs/NFRs)
+3. UX Design (recommended)
+4. System Architecture (required)
+5. Create Epics and Stories
+6. Implementation Readiness Check
+7. Implement with phased approach
+
+**Time**: 3-6 weeks
+
+---
+
+### Scenario 5: Brownfield Addition (BMad Method)
+
+**Input**: "Add search functionality to existing product catalog"
+
+**Detection**: Brownfield + moderate complexity
+
+**Track**: BMad Method (not Quick Flow)
+
+**Critical First Step**:
+
+1. **Run document-project** to analyze existing codebase
+
+**Then Workflow**:
+
+2. PRD for search feature (FRs/NFRs)
+3. Architecture (integration design - highly recommended)
+4. Create Epics and Stories
+5. Implementation Readiness Check
+6. Implement following existing patterns
+
+**Time**: 1-2 weeks
+
+**Why Method not Quick Flow?**: Integration with existing catalog system benefits from architecture planning to ensure consistency.
+
+---
+
+### Scenario 6: Multi-tenant Platform (Enterprise Method)
+
+**Input**: "Add multi-tenancy to existing single-tenant SaaS platform"
+
+**Detection**: Keywords "multi-tenant", enterprise scale
+
+**Track**: Enterprise Method
+
+**Workflow**:
+
+1. Document-project (mandatory)
+2. Research (compliance, security)
+3. PRD (multi-tenancy requirements - FRs/NFRs)
+4. Architecture (tenant isolation design)
+5. Create Epics and Stories
+6. Security Architecture (data isolation, auth)
+7. DevOps Strategy (tenant provisioning, monitoring)
+8. Test Strategy (tenant isolation testing)
+9. Implementation Readiness Check
+10. Phased implementation
+
+**Time**: 3-6 months
+
+---
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### 1. Document-Project First for Brownfield
+
+Always run `document-project` before starting brownfield planning. AI agents need existing codebase context.
+
+### 2. Trust the Recommendation
+
+If `workflow-init` suggests BMad Method, there's probably complexity you haven't considered. Review carefully before overriding.
+
+### 3. Start Smaller if Uncertain
+
+Uncertain between Quick Flow and Method? Start with Quick Flow. You can create PRD later if needed.
+
+### 4. Don't Skip Implementation Readiness Check
+
+For BMad Method and Enterprise, implementation readiness checks prevent costly mistakes. Invest the time.
+
+### 5. Architecture is Optional but Recommended for Brownfield
+
+Brownfield BMad Method makes architecture optional, but it's highly recommended. It distills complex codebase into focused solution design.
+
+### 6. Discovery Phase Based on Need
+
+Brainstorming and research are offered regardless of track. Use them when you need to think through the problem space.
+
+### 7. Product Brief for Greenfield Method
+
+Product Brief is only offered for greenfield BMad Method and Enterprise. It's optional but helps with strategic thinking.
+
+---
+
+## Key Differences from Legacy System
+
+### Old System (Levels 0-4)
+
+- Arbitrary story count thresholds
+- Level 2 vs Level 3 based on story count
+- Confusing overlap zones (5-10 stories, 12-40 stories)
+- Tech-spec and PRD shown as conflicting options
+
+### New System (3 Tracks)
+
+- Methodology-based distinction (not story counts)
+- Story counts as guidance, not definitions
+- Clear track purposes:
+  - Quick Flow = Implementation-focused
+  - BMad Method = Product + system design
+  - Enterprise = Extended with security/ops
+- Mutually exclusive paths chosen upfront
+- Educational decision-making
+
+---
+
+## Migration from Old System
+
+If you have existing projects using the old level system:
+
+- **Level 0-1** → Quick Flow
+- **Level 2-3** → BMad Method
+- **Level 4** → Enterprise Method
+
+Run `workflow-init` on existing projects to migrate to new tracking system. It detects existing planning artifacts and creates appropriate workflow tracking.
+
+---
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- **[Quick Start Guide](./quick-start.md)** - Get started with BMM
+- **[Quick Spec Flow](./quick-spec-flow.md)** - Details on Quick Flow track
+- **[Brownfield Guide](./brownfield-guide.md)** - Existing codebase workflows
+- **[Glossary](./glossary.md)** - Complete terminology
+- **[FAQ](./faq.md)** - Common questions
+- **[Workflows Guide](./index.md#-workflow-guides)** - Complete workflow reference
+
+---
+
+_Scale Adaptive System - Right planning depth for every project._