problem-based-srs

Problem-Based SRS

The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14 RFC 2119 RFC 8174 when, and only when, they appear in all capitals, as shown here.

Orchestrate requirements engineering using the Problem-Based SRS methodology (Gorski & Stadzisz). This skill coordinates a structured process (Step 0 through Step 5) that ensures every requirement traces back to a real business problem.

Methodology Overview

Diagram standard: Use Mermaid UML diagrams as the preferred format for all visual artifacts. Mermaid is mandatory for Software Glance (Step 2) and Software Vision (Step 4), and preferred for other steps where diagrams add value.

Stakeholder Input
       ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 0: BC       │ → Use skill: business-context
│ Business Context │
└────────┬─────────┘
         ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 1: CP       │ → Use skill: customer-problems
│ Customer Problems│
└────────┬─────────┘
         ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 2: SG       │ → Use skill: software-glance
│ Software Glance  │
└────────┬─────────┘
         ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 3: CN       │ → Use skill: customer-needs
│ Customer Needs   │
└────────┬─────────┘
         ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 4: SV       │ → Use skill: software-vision
│ Software Vision  │
└────────┬─────────┘
         ↓
┌──────────────────┐
│ Step 5: FR/NFR   │ → Use skill: functional-requirements
│ Requirements     │
└──────────────────┘

Traceability Chain: FR → CN → CP (every requirement traces back to a problem)

Domain Mapping (WHY → WHAT → HOW):

Domain	Artifact	Question Answered
WHY	Customer Problems (CP)	Why is the solution needed? (Business justification)
WHAT	Customer Needs (CN)	What outcomes must the software provide?
HOW	Functional Requirements (FR)	How will the system behave?

Available Skills

This orchestrator coordinates the following skills:

Skill	Command	Purpose
business-context	/business-context	Step 0: Establish structured business context and principles
customer-problems	/customer-problems	Step 1: Identify and classify customer problems
software-glance	/software-glance	Step 2: Create high-level solution view
customer-needs	/customer-needs	Step 3: Specify customer needs (outcomes)
software-vision	/software-vision	Step 4: Define software vision and architecture
functional-requirements	/functional-requirements	Step 5: Generate functional requirements
zigzag-validator	/zigzag-validator	Validate traceability across domains
complexity-analysis	/complexity-analysis	Optional: Axiomatic Design quality analysis

📁 Saving Progress (CRITICAL)

IMPORTANT: At each step, you MUST save the produced artifacts to files. Progress is NOT automatically saved between sessions.

⚠ File Creation Rule: ONE FILE AT A TIME

NEVER create multiple artifact files in parallel. Always create files one at a time, sequentially — wait for each file to be saved before creating the next one. Batch/parallel file creation causes JSON serialization errors in tool calls when the combined content is too large.

First Time Setup

When starting a new project, save artifacts to .spec/ by default (a hidden folder at the project root). If the user specifies a different folder or an existing artifact folder is detected (e.g., docs/srs/, requirements/), use that location instead.

Artifact File Structure

Create the following folder structure as you progress through each step:

.spec/
├── 00-business-context.md            # Step 0: Business context, principles, and constraints
├── 01-customer-problems.md           # Step 1: CPs (WHY)
├── 02-software-glance.md             # Step 2: High-level solution view
├── 03-customer-needs.md              # Step 3: CNs (WHAT)
├── 04-software-vision.md             # Step 4: Architecture and scope
├── functional-requirements/          # Step 5: Individual FR files
│   ├── _index.md                     # FR summary and traceability matrix
│   ├── FR-001.md                     # Individual FR file
│   ├── FR-002.md                     # Individual FR file
│   └── ...                           # One file per FR
├── non-functional-requirements/      # NFR files (quality attributes)
│   ├── _index.md                     # NFR summary
│   ├── NFR-001.md                    # Individual NFR file
│   └── ...                           # One file per NFR
└── traceability-matrix.md            # CP → CN → FR complete mapping

Why Individual FR/NFR Files?

Each Functional Requirement and Non-Functional Requirement is saved as a separate file so that:

1. Engineers can work independently on different requirements
2. Version control tracks changes to individual requirements
3. Code reviews can focus on specific requirements
4. Traceability is maintained at the file level
5. Status tracking is easier (draft, approved, implemented, tested)

FR File Template (FR-XXX.md)

Each FR file follows this template:

# FR-XXX: [Brief Title]

## Requirement

**Statement:** The [System] shall [verb] [object] [constraint] [condition].

**Priority:** [Must Have | Should Have | Could Have | Won't Have]
**Status:** [Draft | Review | Approved | Implemented | Tested]

## Traceability

| Traces To | ID | Description |
|-----------|-----|-------------|
| Customer Need | CN-XXX | [Brief CN description] |
| Customer Problem | CP-XXX | [Brief CP description] |

## Acceptance Criteria

- [ ] Criterion 1 (testable)
- [ ] Criterion 2 (testable)
- [ ] Criterion 3 (testable)

## Notes

[Any additional context, assumptions, or dependencies]

<!-- ⚠️ NO CODE SNIPPETS: Do not include code examples, SQL, or implementation details here.
     Construction details belong in design/ folder (see design/implementation-notes/) -->

---
*Created: [Date]*
*Last Updated: [Date]*
*Author: [Name]*

NFR File Template (NFR-XXX.md)

# NFR-XXX: [Brief Title]

## Requirement

**Category:** [Performance | Security | Usability | Reliability | Scalability | Maintainability]
**Statement:** The [System] shall [quality attribute with measurable criteria].

**Priority:** [Must Have | Should Have | Could Have | Won't Have]
**Status:** [Draft | Review | Approved | Implemented | Tested]

## Traceability

| Traces To | ID | Description |
|-----------|-----|-------------|
| Customer Need | CN-XXX | [Brief CN description] |
| Applies To FRs | FR-XXX, FR-YYY | [Related functional requirements] |

## Acceptance Criteria

- [ ] Criterion 1 (measurable)
- [ ] Criterion 2 (measurable)

## Measurement Method

[How this NFR will be verified/tested]

<!-- ⚠️ NO CODE SNIPPETS: Do not include code examples or implementation details here.
     Technical specifications belong in design/ folder -->

---
*Created: [Date]*
*Last Updated: [Date]*

Save After Each Step

After completing each step, ALWAYS:

1. Create or update the corresponding file(s)
2. Confirm with user that files were saved
3. Show the file paths for reference

Example handoff for Step 5:

✅ Step 5 Complete: Functional Requirements Specified

📁 Saved to: .spec/functional-requirements/
   ├── _index.md (summary with 8 FRs)
   ├── FR-001.md → CN-001 (User Registration)
   ├── FR-002.md → CN-001 (User Authentication)
   ├── FR-003.md → CN-002 (Data Validation)
   ├── FR-004.md → CN-002 (Error Handling)
   ├── FR-005.md → CN-003 (Report Generation)
   ├── FR-006.md → CN-003 (Export Functionality)
   ├── FR-007.md → CN-004 (Search Capability)
   └── FR-008.md → CN-004 (Filter Options)

📁 Updated: .spec/traceability-matrix.md

Engineers can now work on individual requirements independently.
Each FR file contains full context and acceptance criteria.

Business Context File (00-business-context.md)

Create this file at the start of every project using the business-context skill.

The business context captures: project identity, business principles (Mandatory/Guiding/Aspirational), stakeholders with influence levels, current situation (process, pain points, existing systems), domain boundaries, constraints with impact assessment, and measurable success criteria.

Use the business-context skill for the full template, discovery questions, and examples.

How to Use This Skill

Starting Fresh

When user provides business context or problem description:

1. Ask where to save artifacts (if not already specified)
2. Start with Step 0 — Use business-context skill to establish structured context
3. Save 00-business-context.md with the structured business context
4. Detect current step (see Detection Heuristics below)
5. Invoke the appropriate skill
6. Follow instructions from that skill
7. Save output to the corresponding file(s)
8. Guide user through the process

Continuing Work

If user has existing artifacts (CPs, CNs, etc.):

1. Check for existing artifact folder (.spec/, docs/srs/, requirements/, etc.)
2. Read existing files to understand current state
3. Identify what they have
4. Jump to appropriate step
5. Invoke that step's skill
6. Continue from there, updating files as needed

Validation

At any point, use zigzag-validator skill to check consistency.

Detection Heuristics

Determine current step by checking what artifacts exist:

If user has...	Current Step	Use Skill	Save To
Nothing / business idea only	0	business-context	00-business-context.md
Business Context (BC)	1	customer-problems	01-customer-problems.md
Customer Problems (CPs)	2	software-glance	02-software-glance.md
CPs + Software Glance	3	customer-needs	03-customer-needs.md
CPs + CNs + Software Glance	4	software-vision	04-software-vision.md
CPs + CNs + Software Vision	5	functional-requirements	functional-requirements/*.md

The Steps (Quick Reference)

Step 0: Business Context (BC)

Purpose: Establish structured business context and project principles Input: Stakeholder conversations, project briefs, existing documentation Output: Business context document with identity, principles, stakeholders, boundaries, constraints, success criteria Save to: 00-business-context.md Skill: business-context

Step 1: Customer Problems (CP)

Purpose: Identify and document business problems Input: Business Context (Step 0) Output: List of CPs classified as Obligation/Expectation/Hope Syntax: [Subject] [must/expects/hopes] [Object] [Penalty] Save to: 01-customer-problems.md Skill: customer-problems

Step 2: Software Glance (SG)

Purpose: Create initial abstract solution view
Input: Customer Problems
Output: High-level system description with boundaries and components
Save to: 02-software-glance.md
Skill: software-glance

Step 3: Customer Needs (CN)

Purpose: Specify outcomes software must provide
Input: CPs + Software Glance
Output: CNs with outcome classes (Information/Control/Construction/Entertainment)
Syntax: [Subject] needs [system] to [Verb] [Object] [Condition]
Save to: 03-customer-needs.md
Skill: customer-needs

Step 4: Software Vision (SV)

Purpose: Define high-level scope and positioning
Input: CNs + Software Glance
Output: Vision document with stakeholders, features, architecture
Save to: 04-software-vision.md
Skill: software-vision

Step 5: Functional Requirements (FR) & Non-Functional Requirements (NFR)

Purpose: Generate detailed requirements
Input: CNs + Software Vision
Output: Individual FR and NFR files with traceability
Syntax FR: The [System] shall [Verb] [Object] [Constraint] [Condition]
Save to: functional-requirements/FR-XXX.md and non-functional-requirements/NFR-XXX.md
Skill: functional-requirements

Quality Gates

IMPORTANT: Zigzag validation using zigzag-validator skill is MANDATORY after Steps 3 and 5 to verify traceability and identify gaps.

After Step 0 (BC)

• Project identity complete (name, domain, purpose)
• Business principles defined and classified (Mandatory/Guiding/Aspirational)
• Stakeholders identified with roles and influence
• Current situation documented
• Domain boundaries defined
• Constraints documented
• Success criteria measurable
• File saved: 00-business-context.md

After Step 1 (CPs)

• All CPs use structured notation
• Classifications assigned (Obligation/Expectation/Hope)
• No solutions embedded in problem statements
• File saved: 01-customer-problems.md

After Step 2 (SG)

• System boundaries defined
• Main actors and interfaces identified
• High-level components described
• Mermaid UML diagram included (mandatory)
• File saved: 02-software-glance.md

After Step 3 (CNs)

• Every CP has at least one CN
• All CNs use structured notation
• Outcome classes assigned
• File saved: 03-customer-needs.md
• MANDATORY: Run zigzag validation (CP → CN mapping)

After Step 4 (SV)

• Positioning statement clear
• All stakeholders identified
• Major features listed
• Mermaid UML architecture diagram included (mandatory)
• Cross-reference to Software Glance present
• File saved: 04-software-vision.md

After Step 5 (FRs/NFRs)

• Every CN has at least one FR
• All FRs use "shall" or "should"
• Each FR saved as individual file in functional-requirements/
• Each NFR saved as individual file in non-functional-requirements/
• Index files created (_index.md)
• Traceability matrix complete (FR → CN → CP)
• No code snippets or programming examples in FR/NFR files
• Construction details in separate design/ folder (not in FR/NFR files)
• File saved: traceability-matrix.md
• MANDATORY: Run zigzag validation (full chain verification)

Problem-First Enforcement

If user attempts to skip to solutions, redirect:

Detect: User mentions specific technology, feature, or implementation before CPs exist

Redirect:

I notice you're describing a solution. Let's first understand the problem.

Before we design [mentioned solution], help me understand:
1. What is the business context? (→ business-context skill)
2. What business obligation, expectation, or hope drives this need?
3. What negative consequences occur without this?
4. Who is impacted?

→ Loading: business-context skill (if no BC exists)
→ Loading: customer-problems skill (if BC exists)

Quick Syntax Reference

Artifact	Syntax Pattern
CP	[Subject] [must/expects/hopes] [Object] [Penalty]
CN	[Subject] needs [system] to [Verb] [Object] [Condition]
FR	The [System] shall [Verb] [Object] [Constraint] [Condition]
NFR	The [System] shall [quality attribute with measurable criteria]

Handoff Protocol

When completing each step:

1. Save outputs to the appropriate file(s)
2. Summary of outputs produced
3. Validation that gate criteria are met
4. Next step recommendation
5. Required inputs for next step

Example:

✅ Step 3 Complete: Customer Needs Specified

📁 Saved to: .spec/03-customer-needs.md

Outputs:
- CN-001: [Information] User needs system to display...
- CN-002: [Control] Admin needs system to manage...
- CN-003: [Information] Manager needs system to report...

Gate Check:
- [x] All CNs use structured notation
- [x] Outcome classes assigned
- [x] Every CP has at least one CN
- [x] File saved

→ Next: Step 4 - Software Vision
→ Loading: references/step4-software-vision.md
→ Will save to: .spec/04-software-vision.md
→ Input: The CNs documented above

Usage Patterns

Pattern 1: Full Process (New Project)

Start with Step 0 (Business Context) and progress through all steps sequentially. Remember: Ask where to save files, establish business context first.

Pattern 2: Jump In (Existing Artifacts)

Detect what artifacts exist, skip completed steps, resume at current step. Remember: Check for existing .spec/ folder and read current files.

Pattern 3: Iterative Refinement

Complete initial pass, then iterate on specific steps as understanding improves. Remember: Update existing files rather than creating new ones.

Pattern 4: Validation Only

Use zigzag-validator skill to check existing artifacts without generating new ones.

Pattern 5: Independent Development

After Step 5, engineers can pick up individual FR files and develop independently. Each FR file contains all context needed (traceability, acceptance criteria).

Pattern 6: Agile/Sprint Integration

Use Problem-Based SRS iteratively within agile workflows:

• Sprint 0: Steps 0-2 (BC + CPs + Software Glance) for product vision
• Sprint 1+: Steps 3-5 for specific feature sets
• Per Feature: Complete CP→CN→FR chain for one feature at a time
• Validation: Run zigzag-validator after each sprint to ensure traceability

Pattern 7: Minimal Viable SRS

For quick prototypes or MVPs:

1. Identify 2-3 core CPs (Obligations only)
2. Create minimal Software Glance
3. Derive essential CNs
4. Generate only critical FRs
5. Skip detailed validation until expansion

When to Use Each Skill

• business-context: User is starting a new project and needs to establish structured context
• customer-problems: User has business context but no structured problems
• software-glance: User has CPs and needs high-level solution view
• customer-needs: User has CPs + SG and needs to specify outcomes
• software-vision: User has CNs and needs detailed vision document
• functional-requirements: User has CNs + SV and needs functional requirements
• zigzag-validator: User needs to check traceability or consistency
• complexity-analysis: User explicitly requests Axiomatic Design analysis

Optional: Complexity Analysis

For deeper quality analysis, users can explicitly invoke the complexity-analysis skill for Axiomatic Design-based specification quality analysis. Use for critical systems, large specifications, or formal reviews. This is NOT part of the standard flow.

Examples

For complete walkthroughs, see:

• CRM Example — Business domain (Customer Relationship Management)
• MicroER Example — Technical domain (Renewable Energy System)

Use skills individually based on current step to minimize context usage.