# Product Manager (PM) Requirements Checklist

## Purpose
Comprehensive framework for the Product Manager to ensure the Product Requirements Document (PRD) and Epic definitions are complete, well-structured, and appropriately scoped for MVP development before handoff to architecture and development teams.

## Required Artifacts
Before proceeding, ensure access to:
- ✅ `docs/prd.md` - Product Requirements Document  
- ✅ User research findings and market analysis documents
- ✅ Business goals and strategy documentation
- ✅ Epic definitions and user stories
- ✅ Competitive analysis (if applicable)

## Project Type Detection
**Business Application**: [ ] Yes [ ] No
**Consumer Product**: [ ] Yes [ ] No  
**Technical Platform**: [ ] Yes [ ] No
**Integration Project**: [ ] Yes [ ] No

---

## 1. Problem Definition & Context

### Business Problem Validation
- [ ] Clear, specific problem statement articulated
- [ ] Target user segments specifically identified (not "everyone")
- [ ] Problem impact quantified with data or estimates
- [ ] Competitive differentiation clearly explained
- [ ] Business opportunity sized appropriately

### Success Framework
- [ ] SMART business objectives defined (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- [ ] Key performance indicators (KPIs) established
- [ ] Success metrics directly tied to user and business value
- [ ] Baseline measurements identified where possible
- [ ] Timeline for achieving goals realistic and specific

### Market Context
- [ ] User research findings documented and synthesized
- [ ] Target personas detailed with specific characteristics
- [ ] User needs and pain points clearly mapped
- [ ] Competitive landscape analyzed with specific examples
- [ ] Market timing and opportunity validated

**Notes**: {{problem_context_notes}}

---

## 2. MVP Scope Definition

### Core Functionality Assessment  
- [ ] Essential features clearly distinguished from nice-to-haves
- [ ] Each feature directly addresses the core problem statement
- [ ] Feature set represents true minimum for viability testing
- [ ] User value delivery prioritized over technical elegance
- [ ] Dependencies between features identified and managed

### Scope Boundaries Management
- [ ] Explicit "out of scope" items documented with rationale
- [ ] Future enhancement roadmap outlined
- [ ] Scope decisions justified with clear reasoning
- [ ] MVP complexity minimized while maximizing learning potential
- [ ] Scope reviewed and refined through multiple iterations

### Validation Strategy
- [ ] Clear method for testing MVP success defined
- [ ] User feedback collection mechanisms planned
- [ ] Criteria for transitioning beyond MVP established
- [ ] Learning hypotheses for MVP explicitly stated
- [ ] Success/failure decision framework defined

**Notes**: {{mvp_scope_notes}}

---

## 3. User Experience Requirements

### User Journey Mapping
- [ ] Primary user flows documented end-to-end
- [ ] All entry and exit points identified
- [ ] Critical decision points and branches mapped
- [ ] Happy path and alternative flows defined
- [ ] Edge cases identified (even if deferred)

### Usability Standards
- [ ] Accessibility requirements documented (WCAG 2.1 AA minimum)
- [ ] Platform and device compatibility requirements specified
- [ ] Performance expectations from user perspective defined
- [ ] Error state handling and user recovery planned
- [ ] User feedback and help mechanisms identified

### Interface Requirements
- [ ] Information architecture outlined clearly
- [ ] Critical UI components and interactions identified
- [ ] Content requirements and sources specified
- [ ] Navigation structure and patterns defined
- [ ] Responsive design requirements documented

**Notes**: {{user_experience_notes}}

---

## 4. Functional Requirements

### Feature Completeness
- [ ] All MVP features documented with clear descriptions
- [ ] Features written from user perspective (not technical implementation)
- [ ] Feature criticality and priority levels indicated
- [ ] Requirements are testable and verifiable
- [ ] Cross-feature dependencies explicitly mapped

### Requirements Quality
- [ ] Requirements specific and unambiguous
- [ ] Focus maintained on WHAT, not HOW
- [ ] Consistent terminology used throughout
- [ ] Complex requirements broken into manageable components
- [ ] Technical jargon minimized and explained where necessary

### User Stories & Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] Stories follow consistent format ("As a [user], I want [goal] so that [benefit]")
- [ ] Acceptance criteria are specific and testable
- [ ] Stories appropriately sized for development sprints
- [ ] Stories maintain independence where possible
- [ ] Sufficient context provided for implementation teams

**Notes**: {{functional_requirements_notes}}

---

## 5. Non-Functional Requirements

### Performance Standards
- [ ] Response time requirements defined with specific metrics
- [ ] Throughput and capacity expectations documented
- [ ] Scalability requirements appropriate for user base
- [ ] Resource utilization constraints identified
- [ ] Load handling expectations realistic and measurable

### Security & Compliance Framework
- [ ] Data protection requirements specified
- [ ] Authentication and authorization needs clearly defined
- [ ] Regulatory compliance requirements documented
- [ ] Security testing approach outlined
- [ ] Privacy considerations and GDPR compliance addressed

### Reliability & Operations
- [ ] System availability requirements defined
- [ ] Backup and disaster recovery needs documented
- [ ] Fault tolerance expectations established
- [ ] Error handling and logging requirements specified
- [ ] Maintenance and support operational considerations included

### Technical Constraints
- [ ] Platform and technology constraints documented
- [ ] Third-party service dependencies identified
- [ ] Integration requirements clearly outlined
- [ ] Infrastructure and hosting requirements specified
- [ ] Development environment needs documented

**Notes**: {{non_functional_notes}}

---

## 6. Epic & Story Structure

### Epic Organization
- [ ] Epics represent cohesive business value delivery
- [ ] Epic goals clearly articulated and measurable
- [ ] Epics appropriately sized for incremental delivery
- [ ] Epic sequence and dependencies logically organized
- [ ] Each epic contributes to overall MVP success

### Story Breakdown Quality
- [ ] Stories broken down to appropriate development size
- [ ] Each story delivers independent, demonstrable value
- [ ] Acceptance criteria comprehensive and testable
- [ ] Story dependencies minimize blocking relationships
- [ ] Stories aligned with broader epic and product goals

### Implementation Readiness
- [ ] First epic includes all necessary project setup
- [ ] Development environment setup addressed early
- [ ] Core infrastructure and scaffolding planned
- [ ] Local development and testing capabilities established
- [ ] Deployment pipeline considerations included

**Notes**: {{epic_structure_notes}}

---

## 7. Technical Guidance

### Architecture Direction
- [ ] High-level architecture approach recommended
- [ ] Critical technical constraints communicated clearly
- [ ] Key integration points and APIs identified
- [ ] Performance-critical areas highlighted
- [ ] Security requirements translated to technical needs

### Technical Decision Framework
- [ ] Criteria for technology selection decisions provided
- [ ] Key architectural trade-offs articulated
- [ ] Rationale for recommended approaches documented
- [ ] Non-negotiable technical requirements emphasized
- [ ] Areas requiring detailed technical investigation flagged

### Implementation Considerations
- [ ] Development methodology and approach guidance provided
- [ ] Testing strategy requirements clearly articulated
- [ ] Deployment and DevOps expectations established
- [ ] Monitoring and observability needs identified
- [ ] Technical documentation requirements specified

**Notes**: {{technical_guidance_notes}}

---

## 8. Cross-Functional Requirements

### Data Architecture
- [ ] Core data entities and relationships identified
- [ ] Data storage and persistence requirements specified
- [ ] Data quality and validation requirements defined
- [ ] Data retention and archival policies addressed
- [ ] Data migration needs documented (if applicable)

### Integration Requirements
- [ ] External system integrations clearly identified
- [ ] API requirements and specifications documented
- [ ] Authentication mechanisms for integrations defined
- [ ] Data exchange formats and protocols specified
- [ ] Integration testing approach outlined

### Operational Requirements
- [ ] Deployment frequency and process expectations set
- [ ] Development, staging, and production environment needs defined
- [ ] Monitoring, alerting, and observability requirements identified
- [ ] Support and maintenance operational requirements documented
- [ ] Performance monitoring and analytics approach specified

**Notes**: {{cross_functional_notes}}

---

## 9. Communication & Documentation Quality

### Documentation Standards
- [ ] Clear, jargon-free language used consistently
- [ ] Documents well-structured with logical flow
- [ ] Technical terms defined in glossary or context
- [ ] Diagrams and visual aids included where helpful
- [ ] Version control and change tracking implemented

### Stakeholder Alignment
- [ ] Key stakeholders identified with roles defined
- [ ] Stakeholder feedback incorporated and documented
- [ ] Potential disagreement areas proactively addressed
- [ ] Communication plan for ongoing updates established
- [ ] Clear approval process and sign-off requirements defined

**Notes**: {{communication_notes}}

---

## Final Validation Summary

### Overall Assessment
**PRD Completeness Score**: {{completeness_score}}/10
**MVP Scope Assessment**: {{scope_assessment}} (Focused/Appropriate/Over-Scoped)
**Implementation Readiness**: {{readiness_level}} (Ready/Nearly Ready/Needs Work)

### Critical Issues Identified
1. {{critical_issue_1}}
2. {{critical_issue_2}}  
3. {{critical_issue_3}}

### Recommendations
[ ] **APPROVED** - PRD ready for architecture and development
[ ] **APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS** - Address listed issues before proceeding
[ ] **REQUIRES REVISION** - Significant gaps need resolution before handoff

### Next Steps
1. {{next_step_1}}
2. {{next_step_2}}
3. {{next_step_3}}

---

## Sign-off

**Product Manager**: {{pm_name}}
**Date**: {{validation_date}}
**PRD Version**: {{prd_version}}

**Final Notes**: {{final_validation_notes}}