change-assessment

Change Assessment

Use this skill before accepting implementation work.

Interaction Pattern

1. Classify the change scale:

   • Trivial: typo, constant, rename -> implement directly
   • Small: simple bug fix, field addition, bounded behavior tweak -> apply sniff test, then implement
   • Medium: new feature, significant behavior change, new integration -> do a lightweight delta review of the existing analysis (or initial business analysis if none exists)
   • Large: cross-cutting change, new subsystem, architectural shift -> do full business analysis before implementation, updating or re-baselining the product graph

2. For small changes, apply the sniff test:

   • What goal does this serve?
   • Is this treating a symptom or a cause?
   • Will this change make the next change harder or easier?

3. If concerns arise, surface them as an observation, not a hidden veto:

   • "You asked for X. Before I implement it, I notice [concern]. Would you like me to just make the change, or should we look at the broader picture first?"

4. If constraints force a shortcut, apply the Ideal Solution Pattern:

   • name the ideal solution
   • record the expedient choice
   • name the gap as intentional debt

5. Route to the appropriate next step:

   • trivial -> implement directly
   • small -> implement after sniff test
   • medium + existing analysis present -> analysis-review (delta-focused review of the existing analysis)
   • medium + no existing analysis -> business-analysis (initial analysis)
   • large -> business-analysis to update or re-baseline the product graph, then design-review

Output

Produce a brief classification record containing:

• change scale
• rationale
• sniff test answers when applicable
• routing decision