My pre-sprint decision memo for AI-generated MVPs

I used to move from “this prototype looks promising” to “let’s break it into tasks” far too fast.

Now, after NxCode generates a clickable MVP, I stop and write a short pre-sprint decision memo. It is not a product requirement doc. It is a forcing function that tells me whether the flow deserves engineering time at all.

Here is the structure I use.

1. Name one user and one trigger

I do not allow a generic answer like “teams” or “small businesses.”

I write:

• primary user
• event that starts the workflow

Example:

• User: operations manager at a small agency
• Trigger: a lead is marked qualified after a discovery call

2. Identify the proof screen

The proof screen is the one screen that proves the job is being done.

For a client-intake MVP, mine is usually a board with:

• owner
• next action
• due date
• status

If the most important screen still feels decorative, the MVP is not ready.

3. List the must-be-right data

I only include the fields that would break trust if they were wrong:

• contact source
• priority
• owner
• due date
• short customer note

This keeps me from over-modeling too early.

4. Write the fake edge case

Every AI-generated flow has at least one path that looks complete until you ask an annoying question.

My usual prompts:

• what if no owner is assigned?
• what if the due date is empty?
• what if the item is blocked?

If the prototype falls apart here, it is still a demo.

5. Cut the first sprint on purpose

This is where I save the most time. I explicitly mark things out:

• analytics
• notifications
• billing
• permissions matrix
• admin settings

The memo is useful because it removes convincing extras before they turn into tickets.

6. End with one handoff sentence

I finish with one sentence the team can challenge:

Build the intake board, manual status updates, and next-action workflow; leave permissions and reporting out of sprint one.

That sentence is enough for a useful handoff.

I have been testing this process around NxCode because it lets me review a realistic flow before I commit implementation time:

https://www.nxcode.io/

The prototype gives me something concrete to inspect. The memo decides whether it earns sprint time.