# High Level Product Planning Considerations

## 1. Product Architecture & Type

### Application Type
- **SaaS Platform**: Multi-tenant cloud-based service
- **Web Application**: Browser-based interface
- **Desktop Application**: Native OS application
- **Mobile Application**: iOS/Android native or hybrid
- **Script/CLI Tool**: Command-line utilities
- **API/Service**: Backend service or microservice
- **Embedded System**: IoT or hardware-integrated software

### Client Architecture
- **Thick Client**: Rich desktop application with local processing
- **Thin Client**: Browser-based or minimal client with server processing
- **Progressive Web App**: Web app with native-like capabilities
- **Hybrid Mobile**: Cross-platform mobile framework (React Native, Flutter)

### Multi-Platform Considerations
- **Target Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- **Cross-Platform Strategy**: Native per platform vs unified framework
- **Platform-Specific Features**: OS integration, notifications, file systems

## 2. Technology Stack

### Programming Languages
- **Primary Language**: Main development language
- **Secondary Languages**: Supporting languages for specific components
- **Language Ecosystem**: Package managers, community, long-term support

### Frameworks & Libraries
- **Frontend Framework**: React, Vue, Angular, Svelte
- **Backend Framework**: Express, Django, Spring, FastAPI
- **Database**: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis
- **Key Dependencies**: Third-party libraries and their stability

### Development Tools
- **Build Tools**: Webpack, Vite, Parcel
- **Testing Framework**: Jest, Cypress, PyTest
- **Code Quality**: ESLint, Prettier, SonarQube
- **Documentation**: JSDoc, Sphinx, GitBook

## 3. Infrastructure & Deployment

### Hosting Strategy
- **Cloud Provider**: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Vercel, Netlify
- **On-Premises**: Self-hosted infrastructure
- **Hybrid**: Mixed cloud and on-premises approach
- **Multi-Cloud**: Vendor diversification strategy

### Deployment Architecture
- **Containerization**: Docker, Kubernetes, container orchestration
- **CI/CD Pipeline**: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins
- **Infrastructure as Code**: Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi
- **Monitoring & Observability**: Logging, metrics, tracing, alerting

### Environment Management
- **Development Environment**: Local development setup
- **Staging Environment**: Pre-production testing
- **Production Environment**: Live system configuration
- **Environment Parity**: Consistency across environments

## 4. Data & Security

### Data Architecture
- **Database Strategy**: Relational vs NoSQL, data modeling
- **Data Migration**: Schema changes, data transformation
- **Backup Strategy**: Automated backups, disaster recovery
- **Data Privacy**: GDPR, CCPA, data protection compliance

### Security Considerations
- **Authentication**: User login, SSO, multi-factor authentication
- **Authorization**: Role-based access control, permissions
- **Data Encryption**: At rest and in transit
- **Security Auditing**: Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning
- **Infrastructure Security**: Network security, server hardening

## 5. User Experience & Access

### User Types & Permissions
- **End Users**: Primary application users
- **Administrators**: System configuration and management
- **API Users**: Developers using APIs
- **Support Users**: Customer service and technical support

### Access Patterns
- **Single User**: Personal productivity tools
- **Multi-User**: Team collaboration features
- **Multi-Tenant**: Isolated customer environments
- **Public Access**: Open registration vs invitation-only

### Accessibility & Compliance
- **WCAG Compliance**: Web accessibility standards
- **Mobile Accessibility**: Screen readers, voice control
- **Internationalization**: Multi-language support, localization
- **Regulatory Compliance**: Industry-specific requirements

## 6. Scalability & Performance

### Performance Requirements
- **Response Time**: Acceptable latency for user actions
- **Throughput**: Concurrent users, requests per second
- **Availability**: Uptime requirements, downtime tolerance
- **Scalability**: Horizontal vs vertical scaling strategy

### Resource Management
- **Server Resources**: CPU, memory, storage requirements
- **Database Performance**: Query optimization, indexing strategy
- **Content Delivery**: CDN, static asset optimization
- **Caching Strategy**: Application, database, and browser caching

## 7. Business & Operational Considerations

### Support & Maintenance
- **Support Model**: Self-service, tiered support, dedicated support
- **Service Level Agreements**: Response times, resolution commitments
- **Training Requirements**: User onboarding, ongoing education
- **Maintenance Windows**: Update schedules, downtime planning

### Business Model Integration
- **Pricing Strategy**: Subscription, usage-based, one-time purchase
- **Feature Tiers**: Free, basic, premium feature sets
- **Analytics & Reporting**: Usage tracking, business intelligence
- **Integration Requirements**: Third-party services, API partnerships

### Risk Management
- **Liability Planning**: Error handling, data loss protection
- **Business Continuity**: Backup plans, disaster recovery
- **Vendor Dependencies**: Third-party service reliability
- **Technical Debt**: Code quality, refactoring strategy

## 8. Development Process

### Code Management
- **Version Control**: Git workflow, branching strategy
- **Code Review**: Pull request process, quality gates
- **Documentation**: API docs, technical specifications
- **Testing Strategy**: Unit, integration, end-to-end testing

### Project Management
- **Development Methodology**: Agile, Scrum, Kanban
- **Release Planning**: Feature releases, hotfix procedures
- **Quality Assurance**: Testing processes, bug tracking
- **Performance Monitoring**: Application metrics, user analytics