# Architecture Validation Checklist

Use this checklist when validating architectural decisions before implementation.

## 1. Current State Documentation

**Map Before Modify** - Document what exists before making changes.

- [ ] Current system architecture documented
  - [ ] Component diagram created
  - [ ] Data flow diagram created
  - [ ] Integration points identified
  - [ ] Dependencies mapped

- [ ] Touch points identified
  - [ ] All modules that will be affected listed
  - [ ] Cross-module dependencies documented
  - [ ] External system integrations noted

- [ ] Baseline capabilities cataloged
  - [ ] Current feature list documented
  - [ ] Performance metrics recorded
  - [ ] User workflows mapped

## 2. Proposed Solution Design

**Architect Before Build** - Complete design before code.

- [ ] Multiple options presented (A/B/C minimum)
  - [ ] Option A: [Name and brief description]
  - [ ] Option B: [Name and brief description]
  - [ ] Option C: [Name and brief description]

- [ ] Trade-offs explicitly documented
  - [ ] Performance implications
  - [ ] Complexity implications
  - [ ] Maintainability implications
  - [ ] Scalability implications

- [ ] Chosen architecture documented
  - [ ] System architecture diagram
  - [ ] Component interaction diagram
  - [ ] Data flow diagram
  - [ ] Configuration schema (YAML)
  - [ ] Integration points
  - [ ] API contracts

## 3. Multi-Agent Validation

**No Unilateral Structural Decisions** - Get validation from multiple perspectives.

- [ ] Product Owner validation
  - [ ] Business goals alignment confirmed
  - [ ] User value clearly articulated
  - [ ] Priority justified

- [ ] Architect validation
  - [ ] Technical soundness confirmed
  - [ ] Scalability verified
  - [ ] Security reviewed
  - [ ] Performance acceptable

- [ ] User/Stakeholder validation
  - [ ] Final decision documented
  - [ ] Rationale recorded
  - [ ] Approval obtained

## 4. Capability Preservation

**Never Lose Capability** - Ensure no regression in functionality.

- [ ] Gold Standard Baseline comparison
  - [ ] All previous capabilities mapped
  - [ ] New design maintains ALL capabilities
  - [ ] Any removals explicitly justified and approved

- [ ] Feature parity verified
  - [ ] Feature comparison table created
  - [ ] Migration path for removed features (if any)
  - [ ] Backward compatibility plan

## 5. Zero Coupling Validation

**Max Modularity** - Ensure independence between components.

- [ ] Module independence verified
  - [ ] Each expansion pack can run independently
  - [ ] No hardcoded cross-module dependencies
  - [ ] Clean interfaces defined

- [ ] Configuration externalized
  - [ ] All cross-module references in YAML config
  - [ ] No hardcoded paths or identifiers
  - [ ] Configuration schema documented

- [ ] Coupling check script passed
  - [ ] `scripts/check_coupling.py` executed
  - [ ] All coupling violations resolved
  - [ ] Zero-coupling principle maintained

## 6. Configuration Strategy

**Config > Hardcoding** - Externalize all mutable values.

- [ ] Mutable values identified
  - [ ] List of all configuration points
  - [ ] Default values defined
  - [ ] Override mechanisms specified

- [ ] YAML configuration created
  - [ ] Configuration schema defined
  - [ ] Example configurations provided
  - [ ] Validation rules specified

- [ ] No hardcoding violations
  - [ ] All paths configurable
  - [ ] All thresholds configurable
  - [ ] All integration points configurable

## 7. Testing Strategy

**Quality Escape Hatch** - Tests as safety net for implementation.

- [ ] Test plan defined
  - [ ] Unit test strategy
  - [ ] Integration test strategy
  - [ ] End-to-end test scenarios

- [ ] Test coverage targets set
  - [ ] Minimum coverage percentage
  - [ ] Critical paths identified
  - [ ] Edge cases documented

- [ ] Logging strategy defined
  - [ ] Key observation points identified
  - [ ] Log levels specified
  - [ ] Debugging hooks planned

## 8. Documentation Requirements

**Documentation is Non-Negotiable** - Must precede implementation.

- [ ] Architecture Decision Record (ADR) created
  - [ ] Context documented
  - [ ] Decision documented
  - [ ] Consequences documented
  - [ ] Use template: `assets/adr-template.md`

- [ ] Implementation guide created
  - [ ] Short and actionable
  - [ ] "How to customize" focus
  - [ ] Code examples included
  - [ ] Configuration examples included

- [ ] API documentation created (if applicable)
  - [ ] Endpoints documented
  - [ ] Request/response schemas
  - [ ] Authentication requirements
  - [ ] Rate limits and constraints

## 9. Risk Assessment

**Mitigate Before Implementing** - Identify and address risks upfront.

- [ ] Risks identified
  - [ ] Technical risks listed
  - [ ] Business risks listed
  - [ ] Timeline risks listed

- [ ] Mitigations defined
  - [ ] Each risk has mitigation strategy
  - [ ] Mitigation feasibility verified
  - [ ] Contingency plans documented

- [ ] Risk mitigation validated
  - [ ] `scripts/validate_risk_mitigation.py` executed
  - [ ] All high-priority risks addressed
  - [ ] Acceptable risk level confirmed

## 10. Implementation Readiness

**Final Gate** - Ready to proceed to code.

- [ ] All previous checklist items completed
- [ ] Architecture approved by all stakeholders
- [ ] Zero coupling verified
- [ ] Configuration externalized
- [ ] Tests defined
- [ ] Documentation complete
- [ ] Risks mitigated

---

## Stop Rules Trigger Check

**If ANY of these are true, STOP and remediate:**

- ⛔ Capability loss detected vs baseline
- ⛔ Structural decision without multi-agent validation
- ⛔ Coupling between modules detected
- ⛔ Missing architectural documentation
- ⛔ Hardcoded mutable configuration values

→ If stopped, consult `stop-rules-guide.md` for remediation steps.

---

## Sign-Off

- **Product Owner**: _________________ Date: _______
- **Architect**: _________________ Date: _______
- **Lead Developer**: _________________ Date: _______

**Architecture Approved**: [ ] YES [ ] NO

**Proceed to Implementation**: [ ] YES [ ] NO