From e64cef80b6c60e267c252a4178ac34ec945de2e3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Nikolas Hor <116851567+nikolasdehor@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:32:00 -0300
Subject: [PATCH] fix: add brainstorming reconciliation step to PRD polish
 workflow (#1914)

When feeding brainstorming sessions into the PRD workflow, soft/qualitative
ideas (tone, personality, interaction design, coaching philosophy) get
silently dropped because they don't map cleanly to the PRD's structured
template (FR/NFR format). The resulting PRD reads as complete, so the
loss is invisible without manually diffing against the brainstorming output.

Add a reconciliation check in step-11 (polish) that cross-references the
brainstorming document against the finished PRD, flags ideas that didn't
land anywhere, and lets the user decide which to incorporate.
---
 .../create-prd/steps-c/step-11-polish.md        | 17 +++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+)

diff --git a/src/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-prd/steps-c/step-11-polish.md b/src/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-prd/steps-c/step-11-polish.md
index d6df4caea..709676509 100644
--- a/src/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-prd/steps-c/step-11-polish.md
+++ b/src/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-prd/steps-c/step-11-polish.md
@@ -99,6 +99,22 @@ Review the entire document with PRD purpose principles in mind:
 - Are technical terms used appropriately?
 - Would stakeholders find this easy to understand?
 
+### 2b. Brainstorming Reconciliation (if brainstorming input exists)
+
+**Check the PRD frontmatter `inputDocuments` for any brainstorming document** (e.g., `brainstorming-session*.md`, `brainstorming-report.md`). If a brainstorming document was used as input:
+
+1. **Load the brainstorming document** and extract all distinct ideas, themes, and recommendations
+2. **Cross-reference against the PRD** — for each brainstorming idea, check if it landed in any PRD section (requirements, success criteria, user journeys, scope, etc.)
+3. **Identify dropped ideas** — ideas from brainstorming that do not appear anywhere in the PRD. Pay special attention to:
+   - Tone, personality, and interaction design ideas (these are most commonly lost)
+   - Design philosophy and coaching approach ideas
+   - "What should this feel like" ideas (UX feel, not just UX function)
+   - Qualitative/soft ideas that don't map cleanly to functional requirements
+4. **Present findings to user**: "These brainstorming ideas did not make it into the PRD: [list]. Should any be incorporated?"
+5. **If user wants to incorporate dropped ideas**: Add them to the most appropriate PRD section (success criteria, non-functional requirements, or a new section if needed)
+
+**Why this matters**: Brainstorming documents are often long, and the PRD's structured template has an implicit bias toward concrete/structural ideas. Soft ideas (tone, philosophy, interaction feel) frequently get silently dropped because they don't map cleanly to FR/NFR format.
+
 ### 3. Optimization Actions
 
 Make targeted improvements:
@@ -193,6 +209,7 @@ When user selects 'C', replace the entire document content with the polished ver
 ✅ User's voice and intent preserved
 ✅ Document is more readable and professional
 ✅ A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly
+✅ Brainstorming reconciliation completed (if brainstorming input exists)
 ✅ Polished document saved when C selected
 
 ## FAILURE MODES: