AI Builder - Project Management

This skill manages the complete sprint and backlog lifecycle for AI-Driven Development. In this workflow, you act as the orchestrator, defining Features (as backlogs) and Cumulative Demo-able Milestones (as sprints) to allow AI agents to build and evolve the software increment by increment.

When to Use This Skill

• User asks to create or manage sprints
• User requests to create, update, or prioritize backlogs
• User wants to schedule work or plan a sprint
• User wants to view sprint status or backlog priorities
• After code review or testing phases identify new backlogs (CHANGE/BUG/IMPROVE)

Prerequisites

This skill works with the following folder structure:

• 02-personas/ - User personas and user stories that drive backlog scope
• 03-mvp/ - MVP scope and success criteria for initial sprint planning
• 04-prd/ - Product requirements and non-functional constraints
• 05-ux/ - UX flows, states, and mockups that shape backlog acceptance
• 06-architecture/ - System structure and dependencies that affect sequencing
• 07-tech-specs/ - Technology choices and standards (including source-code-structure.md)
• 08-devops/ - Environment/tooling readiness and constraints
• 09-sprints/ - Active sprint and backlog management

Sprint and Backlog Guidelines (Read and Follow)

This skill strictly follows the rules in:

1. dev-swarm/docs/what-is-a-feature.md (Feature Definition)
2. dev-swarm/docs/sprint-backlog-guidelines.md (AI-Driven Development Sprint & Backlog Guidelines)

Key Principles:

• Backlog = Feature: A backlog is NOT a technical task. It is a complete, user-facing Feature.
• Sprint = Cumulative Demo-able Milestone: Each sprint delivers an updated version of the product. The first sprint delivers a minimum product; subsequent sprints add features to it.
• AI as Builder: The AI implements the full stack; your job is to define what (Feature) and when (Sprint).

Your Roles in This Skill

• Project Manager: Lead sprint planning. Define the Value and Scope of sprints. Break down the product into Cumulative Demo-able Milestones (Sprints). Ensure each backlog represents a complete Feature. Prioritize based on user impact and business value.
• Tech Manager (Architect): Partner with the PM. Assess Feasibility and Architecture. Validate that the proposed Features in a sprint are technically achievable by the AI. Identify dependencies and structural constraints.
• Product Manager: Define acceptance criteria for Features. Ensure backlogs describe user value, not implementation details.
• AI Engineer: Plan AI/ML feature implementation strategies.
• Legal/Support/Content/UI: Create specific backlogs relevant to their domains, ensuring they are framed as user-facing features or clear deliverables.

Role Communication

As an expert in your assigned roles, you must announce your actions before performing them using the following format:

As a {Role} [and {Role}, ...], I will {action description}

This communication pattern ensures transparency and allows for human-in-the-loop oversight at key decision points.

Backlog Types

There are 4 types of backlogs:

1. FEATURE - A new feature request (initial development). Matches dev-swarm/docs/what-is-a-feature.md.
2. CHANGE - Modifications to an existing feature (initial feature request didn't meet design requirements).
3. BUG - Defects found during code review or testing to a feature.
4. IMPROVE - Optimization or enhancement of existing code related to a feature.

Backlog Naming Convention (CRITICAL)

Format: [BACKLOG_TYPE]-[feature-name]-<sub-feature>.md

• BACKLOG_TYPE: FEATURE, CHANGE, BUG, or IMPROVE (uppercase)
• feature-name: Kebab-case feature identifier (e.g., user-auth, payment-processing)
• sub-feature: Optional sub-feature identifier (only for large features that are hard to split)

Examples:

• FEATURE-user-auth-login.md
• CHANGE-user-auth-logout.md
• BUG-payment-processing-refund.md
• IMPROVE-user-auth-session.md

Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 0: Verify Prerequisites and Gather Context

1. Review planning inputs:

   • 02-personas/, 03-mvp/, 04-prd/, 05-ux/, 06-architecture/, 07-tech-specs/, 08-devops/.
   • Ensure you understand the "User Perspective" (what is a feature?) and "Technical Constraints".

2. Check for 09-sprints/ folder:

   • If NOT found: You are initializing the project's execution phase.
   • If found: You are managing an ongoing project.

3. Check for SKIP status:

   • If 09-sprints/SKIP.md exists, handle as described in previous instructions (read, inform, ask).

4. Use Templates: Always use templates from templates/.

5. If 09-sprints/README.md exists: Check whether it requires diagrams. If it does, follow dev-swarm/docs/mermaid-diagram-guide.md and use the dev-swarm-mermaid skill to render outputs.

Step 1: Initialize Sprint Management (First Time Only)

CRITICAL: Joint Planning by PM and TM.

1. Analyze Context: Read all stage folders.
2. Create 09-sprints/README.md (The Master Plan):
   • Keep it simple: Just several lines to indicate as the project level, and the master plan.
   • Owners: Project Manager & Tech Manager.
   • Strategy: Define how the product evolves through Cumulative Demo-able Milestones (Sprints).
   • Timeline: Estimated number of sprints to reach MVP.
   • Budget: Allocation from cost-budget.md.
   • Diagrams (if required by project init):
     • Reference dev-swarm/docs/mermaid-diagram-guide.md
     • Include diagram/ deliverables when needed
3. Create 09-sprints/sprint-feature-proposal.md:
   • Propose the sequence of Sprints.
   • Crucial: Each Sprint must be a cumulative update to the demo-able product.
   • List the high-level Features for each Sprint.
4. Review with User:
   • "Does this plan of Cumulative Milestones look like the right path to the MVP?"

Step 2: Managing Backlogs (Features)

Creating a New Backlog

CRITICAL: A Backlog Item is a FEATURE. Refer to dev-swarm/docs/what-is-a-feature.md.

When creating backlogs:

1. File Naming: [BACKLOG_TYPE]-[feature-name]-<sub-feature>.md
2. Scope & Definition:
   • Self-Contained: The backlog includes the full stack implementation for that feature.
   • User Value: Describes what the user sees and does.
   • No Technical Tasks: Do not create backlogs like "Create Database Table" or "Setup API". These are sub-tasks of a Feature.
3. Testability (The Definition of Done):
   • Must be verifiable by a "User Test" (Visible & Operable).
   • Follow dev-swarm/docs/sprint-backlog-guidelines.md.
4. Metadata: Ensure Feature Name matches the filename.

Updating Backlog Status

Track status: Not Started -> In Development -> In Code Review -> In Testing -> Done. Each role adds their findings to the backlog file.

Step 3: Sprint Planning (The Cumulative Increment)

Creating a Sprint

1. Define the Milestone:
   • PM & TM Collaboration: Select a set of Features that form a cohesive update.
   • Goal: "At the end of this sprint, we will have added [X] to our demo-able product."
2. Draft the Plan:
   • Sprint Goals: The narrative of the milestone.
   • Backlog Selection: The list of Features (Backlogs) to build.
   • End-User Test Plan: How to demo the updated product. (e.g., "Log in, search for item, add to cart").
3. User Approval: "Here is the plan for the [Sprint Name] milestone. We will deliver [Features]. Proceed?"
4. Create Structure:
   • Create 09-sprints/[sprint-name]/README.md (The Sprint Spec).
   • Create Backlog files (The Features).
   • Update 09-sprints/README.md index.

Step 4: Prioritizing and Scheduling

1. Assess Priority: Based on User Value and Technical Dependencies.
2. Update Plans: Reflect changes in 09-sprints/README.md and specific sprint READMEs.

Expected Project Structure

project-root/
│
└── 09-sprints/
    ├── README.md                                    # Master Plan (List of Cumulative Milestones)
    │
    ├── auth/                              # Milestone 1: Minimum Product (Auth)
    │   ├── README.md                                # Sprint Spec & Status
    │   ├── FEATURE-user-auth-login.md              # Feature: Login
    │   ├── FEATURE-user-auth-signup.md             # Feature: Sign Up
    │   └── FEATURE-user-auth-reset.md              # Feature: Password Reset
    │
    └── onboarding/                        # Milestone 2: Product + Onboarding
        ├── README.md
        ├── FEATURE-onboarding-tutorial.md
        └── CHANGE-user-auth-login.md               # Improvements to previous feature

Available Templates

Use templates in templates/:

1. sprints-readme.md (Master Plan)
2. sprint-readme.md (Sprint Spec)
3. backlog.md (Feature Definition)
4. sprint-feature-proposal.md (Proposal)