gds-correct-course

Correct Course - Sprint Change Management Workflow

Goal: Manage significant changes during sprint execution by analyzing impact across all project artifacts and producing a structured Sprint Change Proposal.

Your Role: You are a Developer navigating change management. Analyze the triggering issue, assess impact across GDD, epics, architecture, and UX artifacts, and produce an actionable Sprint Change Proposal with clear handoff.

Conventions

• Bare paths (e.g. checklist.md) resolve from the skill root.
• {skill-root} resolves to this skill's installed directory (where customize.toml lives).
• {project-root}-prefixed paths resolve from the project working directory.
• {skill-name} resolves to the skill directory's basename.

On Activation

Step 1: Resolve the Workflow Block

Run: python3 {project-root}/_bmad/scripts/resolve_customization.py --skill {skill-root} --key workflow

If the script fails, resolve the workflow block yourself by reading these three files in base → team → user order and applying the same structural merge rules as the resolver:

1. {skill-root}/customize.toml — defaults
2. {project-root}/_bmad/custom/{skill-name}.toml — team overrides
3. {project-root}/_bmad/custom/{skill-name}.user.toml — personal overrides

Any missing file is skipped. Scalars override, tables deep-merge, arrays of tables keyed by code or id replace matching entries and append new entries, and all other arrays append.

Step 2: Execute Prepend Steps

Execute each entry in {workflow.activation_steps_prepend} in order before proceeding.

Step 3: Load Persistent Facts

Treat every entry in {workflow.persistent_facts} as foundational context you carry for the rest of the workflow run. Entries prefixed file: are paths or globs under {project-root} — load the referenced contents as facts. All other entries are facts verbatim.

Step 4: Load Config

Load config from {project-root}/_bmad/gds/config.yaml and resolve:

• project_name, user_name
• communication_language, document_output_language
• game_dev_experience
• implementation_artifacts
• planning_artifacts
• project_knowledge
• date as system-generated current datetime
• YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT in your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}
• Language MUST be tailored to {game_dev_experience}
• Generate all documents in {document_output_language}
• DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Updated epics, stories, or GDD sections. Clear, actionable changes. Game dev experience ({game_dev_experience}) affects conversation style ONLY, not document updates.

Step 5: Greet the User

Greet {user_name}, speaking in {communication_language}.

Step 6: Execute Append Steps

Execute each entry in {workflow.activation_steps_append} in order.

Activation is complete. Begin the workflow below.

Paths

• default_output_file = {planning_artifacts}/sprint-change-proposal-{date}.md

Input Files

Input	Path	Load Strategy
GDD	{planning_artifacts}/*gdd*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*gdd*/*.md (sharded)	FULL_LOAD
Narrative	{planning_artifacts}/*narrative*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*narrative*/*.md (sharded)	FULL_LOAD
Epics	{planning_artifacts}/*epic*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*epic*/*.md (sharded)	FULL_LOAD
Architecture	{planning_artifacts}/*architecture*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*architecture*/*.md (sharded)	FULL_LOAD
UX Design	{planning_artifacts}/*ux*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*ux*/*.md (sharded)	FULL_LOAD
Tech Spec	{planning_artifacts}/*tech-spec*.md (whole) or {planning_artifacts}/*spec-*.md (whole)	FULL_LOAD
Document Project	{project_knowledge}/index.md (sharded)	INDEX_GUIDED

Context

• Load **/project-context.md if it exists

Execution

Document Discovery - Loading Project Artifacts

Strategy: Course correction needs broad project context to assess change impact accurately. Load all available planning artifacts.

Discovery Process for FULL_LOAD documents (GDD, Narrative, Epics, Architecture, UX Design, Tech Spec):

1. Search for whole document first - Look for files matching the whole-document pattern (e.g., *gdd*.md, *narrative*.md, *epic*.md, *architecture*.md, *ux*.md, *tech-spec*.md)
2. Check for sharded version - If whole document not found, look for a directory with index.md (e.g., gdd/index.md, epics/index.md)
3. If sharded version found:
   • Read index.md to understand the document structure
   • Read ALL section files listed in the index
   • Process the combined content as a single document
4. Priority: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document

Discovery Process for INDEX_GUIDED documents (Document Project):

1. Search for index file - Look for {project_knowledge}/index.md
2. If found: Read the index to understand available documentation sections
3. Selectively load sections based on relevance to the change being analyzed — do NOT load everything, only sections that relate to the impacted areas
4. This document is optional — skip if {project_knowledge} does not exist (greenfield projects)

Fuzzy matching: Be flexible with document names — users may use variations like gdd.md, game-design-document.md, etc.

Missing documents: Not all documents may exist. GDD and Epics are essential; Architecture, UX Design, Tech Spec, Narrative, and Document Project are loaded if available. HALT if GDD or Epics cannot be found.

<workflow>

<step n="1" goal="Initialize Change Navigation"> <action>Load **/project-context.md for coding standards and project-wide patterns (if exists)</action> <action>Confirm change trigger and gather user description of the issue</action> <action>Ask: "What specific issue or change has been identified that requires navigation?"</action> <action>Verify access to required project documents:</action> - GDD (Game Design Document) - Current Epics and Stories - Architecture documentation - UI/UX specifications - Narrative Design documentation <action>Ask user for mode preference:</action> - Incremental (recommended): Refine each edit collaboratively - Batch: Present all changes at once for review <action>Store mode selection for use throughout workflow</action>

<action if="change trigger is unclear">HALT: "Cannot navigate change without clear understanding of the triggering issue. Please provide specific details about what needs to change and why."</action>

<action if="core documents are unavailable">HALT: "Need access to project documents (GDD, Epics, Architecture, UI/UX) to assess change impact. Please ensure these documents are accessible."</action> </step>

<step n="2" goal="Execute Change Analysis Checklist"> <action>Read fully and follow the systematic analysis from: checklist.md</action> <action>Work through each checklist section interactively with the user</action> <action>Record status for each checklist item:</action> - [x] Done - Item completed successfully - [N/A] Skip - Item not applicable to this change - [!] Action-needed - Item requires attention or follow-up <action>Maintain running notes of findings and impacts discovered</action> <action>Present checklist progress after each major section</action>

<action if="checklist cannot be completed">Identify blocking issues and work with user to resolve before continuing</action> </step>

<step n="3" goal="Draft Specific Change Proposals"> <action>Based on checklist findings, create explicit edit proposals for each identified artifact</action>

<action>For Story changes:</action>

• Show old → new text format

• Include story ID and section being modified

• Provide rationale for each change

• Example format:

  Story: [STORY-123] User Authentication
  Section: Acceptance Criteria
  
  OLD:
  - User can log in with email/password
  
  NEW:
  - User can log in with email/password
  - User can enable 2FA via authenticator app
  
  Rationale: Security requirement identified during implementation
  

<action>For GDD modifications:</action>

• Specify exact sections to update
• Show current content and proposed changes
• Explain impact on MVP scope and requirements

<action>For Narrative Design modifications:</action>

• Specify exact sections to update
• Show current content and proposed changes
• Explain impact on story, character, or world-building consistency

<action>For Architecture changes:</action>

• Identify affected components, patterns, or technology choices
• Describe diagram updates needed
• Note any ripple effects on other components

<action>For UI/UX specification updates:</action>

• Reference specific screens or components
• Show wireframe or flow changes needed
• Connect changes to user experience impact

<check if="mode is Incremental"> <action>Present each edit proposal individually</action> <ask>Review and refine this change? Options: Approve [a], Edit [e], Skip [s]</ask> <action>Iterate on each proposal based on user feedback</action> </check>

<action if="mode is Batch">Collect all edit proposals and present together at end of step</action>

</step>

<step n="4" goal="Generate Sprint Change Proposal"> <action>Compile comprehensive Sprint Change Proposal document with following sections:</action>

<action>Section 1: Issue Summary</action>

• Clear problem statement describing what triggered the change
• Context about when/how the issue was discovered
• Evidence or examples demonstrating the issue

<action>Section 2: Impact Analysis</action>

• Epic Impact: Which epics are affected and how
• Story Impact: Current and future stories requiring changes
• Artifact Conflicts: GDD, Narrative, Architecture, UI/UX documents needing updates
• Technical Impact: Code, infrastructure, or deployment implications

<action>Section 3: Recommended Approach</action>

• Present chosen path forward from checklist evaluation:
  • Direct Adjustment: Modify/add stories within existing plan
  • Potential Rollback: Revert completed work to simplify resolution
  • MVP Review: Reduce scope or modify goals
• Provide clear rationale for recommendation
• Include effort estimate, risk assessment, and timeline impact

<action>Section 4: Detailed Change Proposals</action>

• Include all refined edit proposals from Step 3
• Group by artifact type (Stories, GDD, Narrative, Architecture, UI/UX)
• Ensure each change includes before/after and justification

<action>Section 5: Implementation Handoff</action>

• Categorize change scope:
  • Minor: Direct implementation by Developer agent
  • Moderate: Backlog reorganization needed (PO/DEV)
  • Major: Fundamental replan required (PM/Architect)
• Specify handoff recipients and their responsibilities
• Define success criteria for implementation

<action>Present complete Sprint Change Proposal to user</action> <action>Write Sprint Change Proposal document to {default_output_file}</action> <ask>Review complete proposal. Continue [c] or Edit [e]?</ask> </step>

<step n="5" goal="Finalize and Route for Implementation"> <action>Get explicit user approval for complete proposal</action> <ask>Do you approve this Sprint Change Proposal for implementation? (yes/no/revise)</ask>

<check if="no or revise"> <action>Gather specific feedback on what needs adjustment</action> <action>Return to appropriate step to address concerns</action> <goto step="3">If changes needed to edit proposals</goto> <goto step="4">If changes needed to overall proposal structure</goto>

</check>

<check if="yes the proposal is approved by the user"> <action>Finalize Sprint Change Proposal document</action> <action>Determine change scope classification:</action>

• Minor: Can be implemented directly by Developer agent
• Moderate: Requires backlog reorganization and PO/DEV coordination
• Major: Needs fundamental replan with PM/Architect involvement

<action>Provide appropriate handoff based on scope:</action>

</check>

<check if="Minor scope"> <action>Route to: Developer agent for direct implementation</action> <action>Deliverables: Finalized edit proposals and implementation tasks</action> </check>

<check if="Moderate scope"> <action>Route to: Product Owner / Developer agents</action> <action>Deliverables: Sprint Change Proposal + backlog reorganization plan</action> </check>

<check if="Major scope"> <action>Route to: Product Manager / Solution Architect</action> <action>Deliverables: Complete Sprint Change Proposal + escalation notice</action>

<action>Confirm handoff completion and next steps with user</action> <action>Document handoff in workflow execution log</action> </check>

</step>

<step n="6" goal="Workflow Completion"> <action>Summarize workflow execution:</action>

• Issue addressed: {{change_trigger}}
• Change scope: {{scope_classification}}
• Artifacts modified: {{list_of_artifacts}}
• Routed to: {{handoff_recipients}}

<action>Confirm all deliverables produced:</action>

• Sprint Change Proposal document
• Specific edit proposals with before/after
• Implementation handoff plan

<action>Report workflow completion to user with personalized message: "Correct Course workflow complete, {user_name}!"</action> <action>Remind user of success criteria and next steps for Developer agent</action>

<action>Run: python3 {project-root}/_bmad/scripts/resolve_customization.py --skill {skill-root} --key workflow.on_complete — if the resolved value is non-empty, follow it as the final terminal instruction before exiting.</action> </step>

</workflow>