openup-inception

name	openup-inception
description	Initialize and manage Inception phase activities - define scope, vision, and feasibility
model	haiku
arguments	[{"name":"activity","description":"Specific activity to perform (initiate, check-status, next-steps)","required":false}]

Inception Phase

This skill guides you through the Inception phase of OpenUP - defining scope, vision, and feasibility.

Thin front over the process map (T-077). This phase's activity composition is data, not prose: run python3 scripts/openup-process-map.py activities-for inception for the authoritative ordered activities (each resolved to its role + skills), and let /openup-start-iteration Plan Iteration generate this phase's work-item lanes from that map. The guidance below is human-facing reference — the map + Plan Iteration are the source of truth for what an Inception iteration runs.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Starting a new project and need to define scope and vision
• Need to identify key stakeholders and risks
• Preparing to move from idea to validated business case
• Checking if Inception phase is complete
• Getting guidance on next steps in Inception

When NOT to Use

Do NOT use this skill when:

• Currently in Elaboration, Construction, or Transition phase (use appropriate phase skill)
• Need to create specific artifacts like vision documents or use cases (use artifact skills)
• Already have clear vision and architecture baseline (move to Elaboration)
• Looking for iteration planning (use /openup-create-iteration-plan)

Success Criteria

After using this skill, verify:

• Phase status is clearly understood (initiated, in-progress, or complete)
• Key artifacts are identified or created (vision, risk list, roadmap)
• Next steps are clearly defined
• Stakeholders and risks are documented

Inception Overview

Goal: Understand what to build and identify key risks Duration: Typically 2-4 weeks Key Milestone: Lifecycle Objectives

Phase Objectives

1. Define the project's vision
2. Understand the problem to be solved
3. Identify key stakeholders
4. Define initial scope
5. Identify major risks
6. Demonstrate viability with a business case

Completion Criteria

• Vision document approved by stakeholders
• Key use cases identified (20-30% detailed)
• Major risks documented with mitigation strategies
• Initial project plan with cost/schedule estimates
• Business case demonstrates viability
• Stakeholder agreement to proceed

Process

1. Read Project Status

Read docs/project-status.md to:

• Confirm phase is inception
• Check iteration goals
• Review active work items

2. Based on Activity

initiate: Start Inception phase

• Update docs/project-status.md to set phase: inception
• Create initial docs/vision.md from template
• Create initial docs/risk-list.md from template
• Create docs/roadmap.md with initial backlog

check-status: Review progress

• Check all completion criteria above
• List what's done and what remains
• Identify blockers

next-steps: Get recommendations

• Suggest next tasks based on current state
• Prioritize by dependencies and value

Key Work Products

• Vision (docs/vision.md) - Project vision and scope
• Use Cases (docs/use-cases/*.md) - Key use cases
• Risk List (docs/risk-list.md) - Identified risks
• Project Plan (docs/project-plan.md) - Initial plan
• Glossary (docs/glossary.md) - Project terminology

Recommended Team

For Inception phase work, create a team with:

• analyst - Lead requirements and vision
• project-manager - Plan and coordinate
• Add architect for technical feasibility assessment

References

• Inception Phase: docs-eng-process/openup-knowledge-base/practice-management/risk_value_lifecycle/guidances/concepts/phase-inception.md
• Analyst Role: docs-eng-process/openup-knowledge-base/core/role/roles/analyst-6.md
• Vision Template: docs-eng-process/templates/vision.md

See Also

• openup-create-vision - Generate vision document
• openup-shared-vision - Create shared technical vision
• openup-create-risk-list - Create risk assessment
• openup-elaboration - Next phase after Inception
• openup-start-iteration - Begin iteration planning