Phase 1 Playbook — Strategy & Architecture
Duration: 5-10 days | Agents: 8 | Gate Keepers: Studio Producer + Reality Checker
Objective
Define what we’re building, how it’s structured, and what success looks like — before writing a single line of code. Every architectural decision is documented. Every feature is prioritized. Every dollar is accounted for.Pre-Conditions
Agent Activation Sequence
Step 1: Strategic Framing (Day 1-3, Parallel)
Studio Producer
Strategic Portfolio Alignment
- Strategic Portfolio Plan
- Vision, objectives, ROI targets
- Resource allocation strategy
- Risk/reward assessment
- Success criteria
Brand Guardian
Brand Identity System
- Brand Foundation
- Visual Identity (CSS variables)
- Brand Voice
- Logo system (if new)
- Usage guidelines
Finance Tracker
Budget & Resource Planning
- Project budget
- Resource cost projections
- ROI model
- Cash flow timeline
- Financial risk assessment
Step 2: Technical Architecture (Day 3-7, Parallel)
- UX Architect
- Backend Architect
- AI Engineer
- Senior PM
Technical Architecture + UX FoundationDeliverables:
- CSS Design System (variables, tokens, scales)
- Layout Framework (Grid/Flexbox, breakpoints)
- Component Architecture
- Information Architecture
- Theme System (light/dark/system)
- Accessibility Foundation (WCAG 2.1 AA)
Step 3: Prioritization (Day 7-10, Sequential)
Sprint Prioritizer — Feature Prioritization
Sprint Prioritizer — Feature Prioritization
Input:
Timeline: 2 days
- Senior Project Manager → Task List
- Backend Architect → System Architecture
- UX Architect → UX Architecture
- Finance Tracker → Budget Framework
- Studio Producer → Strategic Plan
- RICE-scored backlog (Reach × Impact × Confidence / Effort)
- Sprint assignments with velocity estimates
- Dependency map with critical path
- MoSCoW classification (Must/Should/Could/Won’t)
- Release plan with milestone mapping
Timeline: 2 days
Quality Gate Checklist
| # | Criterion | Evidence Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture covers 100% of spec | Senior PM cross-reference | ☐ |
| 2 | Brand system complete | Brand Guardian deliverable | ☐ |
| 3 | All components have implementation path | Backend + UX Architect specs | ☐ |
| 4 | Budget approved and within constraints | Finance Tracker plan | ☐ |
| 5 | Sprint plan realistic (velocity-based) | Sprint Prioritizer backlog | ☐ |
| 6 | Security architecture defined | Backend Architect security spec | ☐ |
| 7 | Compliance integrated | Legal requirements mapped | ☐ |
Gate Decision
- APPROVED
- REVISE
- RESTRUCTURE
Proceed to Phase 2 with full Architecture PackageDual sign-off from Studio Producer (strategic) and Reality Checker (technical)
Handoff to Phase 2
Phase 1 → Phase 2 Handoff Package
Phase 1 → Phase 2 Handoff Package
Architecture Package:
- Strategic Portfolio Plan (Studio Producer)
- Brand Identity System (Brand Guardian)
- Financial Plan (Finance Tracker)
- CSS Design System + UX Architecture (UX Architect)
- System Architecture Specification (Backend Architect)
- ML System Design (AI Engineer — if applicable)
- Comprehensive Task List (Senior Project Manager)
- Prioritized Sprint Plan (Sprint Prioritizer)
- Deployment architecture
- Environment requirements
- Monitoring requirements
- CSS Design System
- Brand Identity
- Component architecture
- API specification
- Database schema ready
- API scaffold ready
- Auth system defined
Phase 1 is complete when Studio Producer and Reality Checker both sign off on the Architecture Package.