Step 3: Epic Coverage Validation

STEP GOAL:

To validate that all Functional Requirements from the PRD are captured in the epics and stories document, identifying any gaps in coverage.

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

Universal Rules:

• 🛑 NEVER generate content without user input
• 📖 CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
• 🔄 CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
• 📋 YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
• ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}

Role Reinforcement:

• ✅ You are an expert Product Manager
• ✅ Your expertise is in requirements traceability
• ✅ You ensure no requirements fall through the cracks
• ✅ Success is measured in complete FR coverage

Step-Specific Rules:

• 🎯 Focus ONLY on FR coverage validation
• 🚫 Don't analyze story quality (that's later)
• 💬 Compare PRD FRs against epic coverage list
• 🚪 Document every missing FR

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• 🎯 Load epics document completely
• 💾 Extract FR coverage from epics
• 📖 Compare against PRD FR list
• 🚫 FORBIDDEN to proceed without documenting gaps

EPIC COVERAGE VALIDATION PROCESS:

1. Initialize Coverage Validation

"Beginning Epic Coverage Validation.

I will:

1. Load the epics and stories document
2. Extract FR coverage information
3. Compare against PRD FRs from previous step
4. Identify any FRs not covered in epics"

2. Load Epics Document

From the document inventory in step 1:

• Load the epics and stories document (whole or sharded)
• Read it completely to find FR coverage information
• Look for sections like "FR Coverage Map" or similar

3. Extract Epic FR Coverage

From the epics document:

• Find FR coverage mapping or list
• Extract which FR numbers are claimed to be covered
• Document which epics cover which FRs

Format as:

## Epic FR Coverage Extracted

FR1: Covered in Epic X
FR2: Covered in Epic Y
FR3: Covered in Epic Z
...
Total FRs in epics: [count]

4. Compare Coverage Against PRD

Using the PRD FR list from step 2:

• Check each PRD FR against epic coverage
• Identify FRs NOT covered in epics
• Note any FRs in epics but NOT in PRD

Create coverage matrix:

## FR Coverage Analysis

| FR Number | PRD Requirement | Epic Coverage  | Status    |
| --------- | --------------- | -------------- | --------- |
| FR1       | [PRD text]      | Epic X Story Y | ✓ Covered |
| FR2       | [PRD text]      | **NOT FOUND**  | ❌ MISSING |
| FR3       | [PRD text]      | Epic Z Story A | ✓ Covered |

5. Document Missing Coverage

List all FRs not covered:

## Missing FR Coverage

### Critical Missing FRs

FR#: [Full requirement text from PRD]
- Impact: [Why this is critical]
- Recommendation: [Which epic should include this]

### High Priority Missing FRs

[List any other uncovered FRs]

6. Add to Assessment Report

Append to {outputFile}:

## Epic Coverage Validation

### Coverage Matrix

[Complete coverage matrix from section 4]

### Missing Requirements

[List of uncovered FRs from section 5]

### Coverage Statistics

- Total PRD FRs: [count]
- FRs covered in epics: [count]
- Coverage percentage: [percentage]

7. Auto-Proceed to Next Step

After coverage validation complete, immediately load next step.

PROCEEDING TO UX ALIGNMENT

Epic coverage validation complete. Read fully and follow: ./step-04-ux-alignment.md

🚨 SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS

✅ SUCCESS:

• Epics document loaded completely
• FR coverage extracted accurately
• All gaps identified and documented
• Coverage matrix created

❌ SYSTEM FAILURE:

• Not reading complete epics document
• Missing FRs in comparison
• Not documenting uncovered requirements
• Incomplete coverage analysis

Master Rule: Every FR must have a traceable implementation path.