Implementation Readiness - Pre-Execution Validation
The Iron Law
NEVER START CODING WITHOUT CONFIRMING ALL ARTIFACTS ALIGN. Misalignment between PRD, architecture, and stories is the #1 cause of wasted implementation effort.
Process
Step 1: Gather Artifacts
Collect and read all planning artifacts:
- •PRD or product brief
- •Architecture/tech spec documents
- •User stories or task breakdown
- •Any existing prototype or spike results
Step 2: Cross-Validate Requirements
For each requirement in the PRD:
- •Is it covered by at least one user story?
- •Is the technical approach defined in the architecture doc?
- •Are acceptance criteria testable?
Step 3: Cross-Validate Architecture
For each architectural decision:
- •Does it support all PRD requirements?
- •Are there stories that contradict the chosen approach?
- •Are dependencies and integrations accounted for?
Step 4: Identify Gaps
Document any:
- •Requirements without stories
- •Stories without architectural support
- •Architectural decisions without requirement justification
- •Missing acceptance criteria
- •Unresolved open questions from any document
Step 5: Readiness Verdict
Produce a readiness report:
- •READY: All artifacts align, no blocking gaps
- •READY WITH RISKS: Minor gaps documented, can proceed with awareness
- •NOT READY: Blocking gaps that must be resolved before execution
Quick Reference
| Check | Source A | Source B | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement coverage | PRD | Stories | Each FR has a story |
| Architecture support | Architecture | Stories | Each story is technically feasible |
| Acceptance criteria | Stories | PRD | Criteria match requirements |
| Dependency coverage | Architecture | PRD | All integrations planned |
Checklist
- • All planning artifacts have been read in full
- • Every PRD requirement maps to at least one story
- • Every story has a feasible architectural path
- • Acceptance criteria are testable and specific
- • No circular or missing dependencies
- • Open questions from all documents are resolved or tracked
- • Readiness verdict is documented with justification
Rationalization Table
| Excuse | Reality |
|---|---|
| "The PRD is clear enough" | PRDs describe what. Stories describe how. Both must align. |
| "We can figure it out during implementation" | Figuring it out during implementation means rework. Align now. |
| "The architect already approved" | Approval without cross-validation is a rubber stamp. Verify. |
| "Stories are just placeholders" | Placeholder stories produce placeholder implementations. |
Red Flags
STOP immediately if you catch yourself:
- •Skipping the cross-validation between any two artifact types
- •Marking as READY when there are unresolved open questions
- •Not reading all artifacts in full before validating
- •Assuming alignment without evidence