architecture-workflow git:20260927.5e4f357A

Immutable. This exact content never changes and is served at /api/v1/blob/8e354abfd73963da.

---
name: architecture-workflow
description: "Recommends which /arckit:* commands to run, and in what order, for a new or in-flight architecture project, from a short triage of sector, project type, current stage and timeline. Backs /arckit:start. Not needed when the user has already named the command they want, or is asking about the content of an artefact rather than the sequence."
paths:
  - "projects/**"
---

# Architecture Workflow

Guides users through project onboarding using adaptive-depth questions and recommends a tailored command sequence.

<HARD-GATE>
Do NOT run any `/arckit:*` commands during this process. Your only output is a recommended command plan. The user decides when and what to execute. This applies regardless of how simple the project seems.
</HARD-GATE>

## Anti-Patterns

### "I already know what I need"

Even experienced architects benefit from the triage. It catches blind spots — missing compliance requirements, forgotten dependencies, stakeholder gaps. The triage is fast (3-4 questions). Skip it and you risk generating artifacts in the wrong order or missing mandatory prerequisites.

### "Just run everything"

A 30-command sequence helps nobody. The skill's job is to recommend the *right* commands for *this* project, in the *right* order. Every project is different — a compliance review needs 6 commands, not 30.

## Process

Follow these steps in order. Ask questions one at a time using AskUserQuestion. Prefer multiple-choice options.

### Step 1: Detect Project State

Automatically check the project context (no questions needed):

- Check if `projects/` directory exists and count projects
- Check for principles document (`ARC-000-PRIN-*`)
- Count existing artifacts per project
- Use ArcKit Project Context from the SessionStart hook if available

Based on findings, determine:

- **New project**: No `projects/` directory or empty — recommend starting from scratch
- **Early stage**: Projects exist but few artifacts (0-24% complete) — recommend next foundation steps
- **Mid stage**: Has requirements, some design artifacts (25-74%) — recommend design and procurement steps
- **Late stage**: Has most artifacts (75-100%) — recommend quality, compliance, and reporting steps

Display a brief status summary before asking questions:

```text
Project State: [1 project found, 4 artifacts, ~20% complete]
```

Or:

```text
Project State: No project structure found. Starting fresh.
```

### Step 2: Triage Questions

Ask these questions one at a time. Each uses AskUserQuestion with multiple-choice options.

**Question 1 — Sector:**

- UK Government (civilian departments)
- Defence (MOD, defence contractors)
- Public sector (non-UK)
- Private sector

**Question 2 — Project Type:**

- New system build
- System migration or modernization
- Procurement / vendor selection
- Data platform or analytics
- AI/ML system
- Strategy or governance review only

**Question 3 — Current Stage:**

- Just starting (no artifacts yet)
- Have stakeholders and/or requirements
- Have design artifacts (data model, research, diagrams)
- Need compliance review of existing work

**Question 4 — Primary Goal:**

- Full governance lifecycle (end-to-end)
- Specific deliverable (e.g., just requirements, just SOBC)
- Compliance check (assess existing work)
- Quick prototype documentation (minimum viable)

### Step 3: Deep Questions (Complex Projects Only)

Only ask these if the project triggers complexity:

- Sector is UK Government or Defence
- Project type is AI/ML
- Primary goal is full governance lifecycle

Ask one at a time:

**Q5 — Compliance Frameworks** (multiple select):

- GDS Service Standard
- Technology Code of Practice (TCoP)
- NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework
- AI Playbook
- JSP 440 / MOD Secure by Design
- JSP 936 / MOD AI Assurance
- None / not sure

**Q6 — Procurement** (if applicable):

- G-Cloud (Digital Marketplace)
- Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS)
- Open tender / framework agreement
- No procurement needed

**Q7 — Strategic Analysis:**

- Yes, need Wardley Maps and strategic positioning
- Yes, need platform design (multi-sided platform)
- No, straightforward technology choices

**Q8 — Timeline Pressure:**

- Weeks (urgent, minimum viable only)
- Months (standard delivery)
- Quarters (major programme, full governance)

### Step 4: Present Tailored Plan

Based on the answers, select the appropriate path and present the plan.

#### Decision Logic

**Base path selection:**

| Sector Answer | Base Path |
|---------------|-----------|
| Private sector or Public sector (non-UK) | [standard-path.md](references/standard-path.md) |
| UK Government | [uk-gov-path.md](references/uk-gov-path.md) |
| Defence | [defence-path.md](references/defence-path.md) |

**Modifiers (applied on top of base path):**

| Condition | Modifier |
|-----------|----------|
| Project type = AI/ML | Apply [ai-ml-path.md](references/ai-ml-path.md) |
| Project type = Data platform | Apply [data-path.md](references/data-path.md) |
| Both AI/ML and Data | Apply both modifiers |

**Scope adjustments:**

| Goal | Adjustment |
|------|------------|
| Full governance lifecycle | Show full path from base + modifiers |
| Specific deliverable | Show only the relevant phase |
| Compliance check | Show only compliance phase from base path |
| Quick prototype documentation | Show minimum viable path from base path |

| Stage | Adjustment |
|-------|------------|
| Just starting | Show full path (or scoped path) |
| Have stakeholders/requirements | Skip Phases 1-2, start from Phase 3 |
| Have design artifacts | Skip to Phase 4 (Procurement) or Phase 5 (Design Reviews) |
| Need compliance review | Skip to compliance phase |

| Timeline | Adjustment |
|----------|------------|
| Weeks | Show minimum viable path only |
| Months | Show full path, note optional commands |
| Quarters | Show full path with all optional additions |

#### Plan Output Format

Present the plan as a numbered list grouped by phase:

```text
Recommended Command Sequence
=============================

Based on: [UK Government] + [AI/ML] project, starting fresh, full lifecycle

Phase 1: Foundation
  1. /arckit:principles — Governance foundation (GDS + TCoP aligned)
  2. /arckit:stakeholders — Map DDaT roles, SROs, policy owners
  3. /arckit:risk — HMG Orange Book risk methodology

Phase 2: Business Justification
  4. /arckit:sobc — HM Treasury Green Book 5-case model
  5. /arckit:requirements — Central artifact for all downstream work

Phase 3: Design & Analysis
  6. /arckit:datascout — Discover UK Gov open data sources
  7. /arckit:data-model — Data architecture with GDPR considerations
  ...

[Total: N commands across M phases]
[Estimated duration: X-Y months]

Run commands in order. Each command will guide you through its process.
```

After presenting the plan, ask if they want to adjust anything or if they're ready to begin.

## Key Principles

- **One question at a time** — do not overwhelm with multiple questions per message
- **Multiple choice preferred** — easier to answer than open-ended
- **Adaptive depth** — simple projects get 4 questions, complex get 8
- **Scaled output** — minimum viable = 5 commands, full lifecycle = 25-30
- **No commands executed** — only present the plan, user drives execution
- **Reference existing artifacts** — skip phases where artifacts already exist

## ArcKit Integration

This skill is invoked by the `/arckit:start` command, which delegates project onboarding to this skill. Users can also trigger it by asking about getting started, command sequences, or workflow recommendations.

For the detailed command dependency matrix, see `DEPENDENCY-MATRIX.md` in the user's project root (installed by `arckit init`). For visual workflow diagrams, see `WORKFLOW-DIAGRAMS.md` in the user's project root.