VERIFY Phase
Verify implementation at multiple levels and route failures appropriately.
Verification Layers
Layer 1: Technical Correctness
- •Does it build/compile without errors?
- •Do tests pass?
- •Does linting pass?
- •Does it run without crashing?
Failure routing: Return to BUILD
Layer 2: Spec Fidelity
- •Does implementation match spec interfaces?
- •Are all spec requirements addressed?
- •Do outputs match spec definitions?
Failure routing: Return to BUILD (if code error) or SPEC (if spec error)
Layer 3: Plan Validity
- •Does this solve the problem stated in the plan?
- •Does user testing confirm expected behavior?
- •Are the original assumptions holding?
Failure routing: Return to PLAN or SPAR
Layer 4: Epistemic Update (Depth + Time)
- •Did we learn anything that changes our assumptions?
- •Are there new risks or opportunities?
- •Should the spec be updated for future work?
- •What patterns emerged that apply to future projects?
- •What should we "transcend and include" going forward?
Failure routing: Document for REFLECT phase
Layer 5: Multi-Dimensional Check
Quadrant coverage:
- •Individual Outer: Are artifacts complete and correct?
- •Individual Inner: Is understanding documented?
- •Collective Outer: Are system integrations verified?
- •Collective Inner: Is stakeholder alignment confirmed?
Height (Skill Dependencies):
- •Did capability gaps cause failures?
- •What skills were developed during implementation?
- •What remains blocked by missing capabilities?
Identity Trap:
- •Are we declaring success to avoid examining failures?
- •Are failures being minimized because they threaten assumptions?
- •What are we not looking at?
Verification Process
- •Run automated checks (build, lint, test)
- •Manual spec comparison
- •User acceptance testing (if applicable)
- •Collect all failures and discoveries
Failure Diagnosis
When something fails, identify which layer:
| Symptom | Likely Layer | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Code doesn't run | Layer 1 | Fix in BUILD |
| Works but wrong output | Layer 2 | Check spec, fix in BUILD or SPEC |
| Works but users confused | Layer 3 | Return to PLAN |
| Works but solves wrong problem | Layer 3-4 | Return to SPAR |
Critical: Don't keep fixing code if the spec is wrong. Don't keep fixing spec if the understanding is wrong.
Output Format
code
## Verification Report ### Layer 1: Technical - Build: ✓/✗ - Tests: ✓/✗ ([pass]/[total]) - Lint: ✓/✗ ### Layer 2: Spec Fidelity - [Spec item]: ✓/✗ - [Spec item]: ✓/✗ ### Layer 3: Plan Validity - User testing: [results] - Problem solved: [yes/no/partial] ### Layer 4: Learnings - [Discovery or assumption update] ### Failures Requiring Action | Issue | Layer | Routing | |-------|-------|---------| | [issue] | [1-4] | [phase to return to] | **Verification status:** pass / fail-minor / fail-major
Exit Criteria
Feature complete when:
- •All Layer 1-3 checks pass
- •No unresolved failures
- •User confirms acceptance
Proceed to REFLECT when feature is complete or iteration is ending.