planning-and-task-breakdown

To break down a feature specification, you create an ordered list of vertical slices with acceptance criteria. Each task receives a description, verification steps, estimated scope, files likely touched, and explicit dependencies to enable parallel or sequential execution.

Vertical slicing in task breakdown creates end-to-end feature slices that deliver testable functionality. This approach prevents sprawling, untestable development by forcing early verification checkpoints and reducing rework.

Dependency mapping identifies foundations, APIs, and consumers to determine build order. It produces per-task dependency relationships that enable parallelization or sequential execution across multi-agent workflows.

Task breakdown suits multi-agent parallel work by generating prioritized implementation plans. It creates per-task descriptions with acceptance criteria, verification steps, and explicit dependencies allowing multiple agents to execute tasks simultaneously.

Per-task descriptions for engineering tickets should include acceptance criteria, verification steps, estimated scope, files likely touched, and dependency relationships. This structure ensures tasks are verifiable and can be parallelized reliably.

Task sizing reduces development rework by producing small, verifiable tasks with estimated scope and early verification checkpoints. This prevents sprawling, untestable development and forces vertical slices with clear acceptance criteria.