prd-generator

PRD Generator

Overview

Generate comprehensive, well-structured Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) that follow industry best practices. This skill helps product managers create clear, actionable requirements documents that align stakeholders and guide development teams.

Core Workflow

When a user requests to create a PRD (e.g., "create a PRD for a user authentication feature"), follow this workflow:

Step 1: Gather Context

Before generating the PRD, collect essential information through a discovery conversation:

Required Information:

• Feature/Product Name: What are we building?
• Problem Statement: What problem does this solve?
• Target Users: Who is this for?
• Business Goals: What are we trying to achieve?
• Success Metrics: How will we measure success?
• Timeline/Constraints: Any deadlines or limitations?

Discovery Questions to Ask:

1. What problem are you trying to solve?
2. Who is the primary user/audience for this feature?
3. What are the key business objectives?
4. Are there any technical constraints we should be aware of?
5. What does success look like? How will you measure it?
6. What's the timeline for this feature?
7. What's explicitly out of scope?

Note: If the user provides a detailed brief or requirements upfront, you can skip some questions. Always ask for clarification on missing critical information.

Step 2: Generate PRD Structure

Use the standard PRD template from references/prd_template.md to create a well-structured document. The PRD should include:

1. Executive Summary - High-level overview (2-3 paragraphs)
2. Problem Statement - Clear articulation of the problem
3. Goals & Objectives - What we're trying to achieve
4. User Personas - Who we're building for
5. User Stories & Requirements - Detailed functional requirements
6. Success Metrics - KPIs and measurement criteria
7. Scope - What's in and out of scope
8. Technical Considerations - Architecture, dependencies, constraints
9. Design & UX Requirements - UI/UX considerations
10. Timeline & Milestones - Key dates and phases
11. Risks & Mitigation - Potential issues and solutions
12. Dependencies & Assumptions - What we're relying on
13. Open Questions - Unresolved items

Step 3: Create User Stories

For each major requirement, generate user stories using the standard format:

As a [user type],
I want to [action],
So that [benefit/value].

Acceptance Criteria:
- [Specific, testable criterion 1]

Reference references/user_story_examples.md for common patterns and best practices.

Step 4: Define Success Metrics

Use appropriate metrics frameworks based on the product type:

• AARRR (Pirate Metrics): Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Revenue, Referral
• HEART Framework: Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, Task Success
• North Star Metric: Single key metric that represents core value
• OKRs: Objectives and Key Results

Consult references/metrics_frameworks.md for detailed guidance on each framework.

Step 5: Validate & Review

Optionally run the validation script to ensure PRD completeness:

This checks for:

• All required sections present
• User stories follow proper format
• Success metrics are defined
• Scope is clearly articulated
• No placeholder text remains

Usage Patterns

Pattern 1: New Feature PRD

User Request: "Create a PRD for adding dark mode to our mobile app"

Execution:

1. Ask discovery questions about dark mode requirements
2. Generate PRD using template
3. Create user stories for:
   • Theme switching
   • Preference persistence
   • System-level sync
   • Design token updates
4. Define success metrics (adoption rate, user satisfaction)
5. Identify technical dependencies (design system, platform APIs)

Pattern 2: Product Enhancement PRD

User Request: "Write requirements for improving our search functionality"

Execution:

1. Gather context on current search limitations
2. Identify user pain points and desired improvements
3. Generate PRD with focus on:
   • Current state analysis
   • Proposed enhancements
   • Impact assessment
4. Create prioritized user stories
5. Define before/after metrics

Pattern 3: New Product PRD

User Request: "I need a PRD for a new analytics dashboard product"

Execution:

1. Comprehensive discovery (market analysis, user research)
2. Generate full PRD with:
   • Market opportunity
   • Competitive analysis
   • Product vision
   • MVP scope
   • Go-to-market considerations
3. Detailed user stories for core features
4. Phased rollout plan
5. Success metrics aligned with business goals

Pattern 4: Quick PRD / One-Pager

User Request: "Create a lightweight PRD for a small bug fix feature"

Execution:

1. Generate simplified PRD focusing on:
   • Problem statement
   • Solution approach
   • Acceptance criteria
   • Success metrics
2. Skip sections not relevant for small scope
3. Keep document concise (1-2 pages)

PRD Best Practices

Writing Quality Requirements

Good Requirements Are:

• Specific: Clear and unambiguous
• Measurable: Can be verified/tested
• Achievable: Technically feasible
• Relevant: Tied to user/business value
• Time-bound: Has clear timeline

Avoid:

• Vague language ("fast", "easy", "intuitive")
• Implementation details (let engineers decide how)
• Feature creep (stick to core requirements)
• Assumptions without validation

User Story Best Practices

DO:

• Focus on user value, not features
• Write from user perspective
• Include clear acceptance criteria
• Keep stories independent and small
• Use consistent format

DON'T:

• Write technical implementation details
• Create dependencies between stories
• Make stories too large (epics)
• Use internal jargon
• Skip acceptance criteria

Scope Management

In-Scope Section:

• List specific features/capabilities included
• Be explicit and detailed
• Link to user stories

Out-of-Scope Section:

• Explicitly state what's NOT included
• Prevents scope creep
• Manages stakeholder expectations
• Can include "future considerations"

Success Metrics Guidelines

Choose Metrics That:

• Align with business objectives
• Are measurable and trackable
• Have clear targets/thresholds
• Include both leading and lagging indicators
• Consider user and business value

Typical Metric Categories:

• Adoption: How many users use the feature?
• Engagement: How often do they use it?
• Satisfaction: Do users like it?
• Performance: Does it work well?
• Business Impact: Does it drive business goals?

Advanced Features

PRD Templates for Different Contexts

The skill supports different PRD formats:

Standard PRD - Full comprehensive document Lean PRD - Streamlined for agile teams One-Pager - Executive summary format Technical PRD - Engineering-focused requirements Design PRD - UX/UI-focused requirements

Specify the format when requesting: "Create a lean PRD for..." or "Generate a technical PRD for..."

Integration with Design

Design Requirements Section Should Include:

• Visual design requirements
• Interaction patterns
• Accessibility requirements (WCAG compliance)
• Responsive design considerations
• Design system components to use
• User flow diagrams
• Wireframe/mockup references

Technical Considerations Section

Should Address:

• Architecture: High-level technical approach
• Dependencies: External services, libraries, APIs
• Security: Authentication, authorization, data protection
• Performance: Load times, scalability requirements
• Compatibility: Browser, device, platform support
• Data: Storage, migration, privacy considerations
• Integration: How it fits with existing systems

Stakeholder Alignment

PRD Should Help:

• Align cross-functional teams
• Set clear expectations
• Enable parallel work streams
• Facilitate decision-making
• Provide single source of truth

Distribution Checklist:

• Engineering reviewed technical feasibility
• Design reviewed UX requirements
• Product leadership approved scope
• Stakeholders understand timeline
• Success metrics agreed upon

Common PRD Scenarios

Scenario 1: Feature Request from Customer

When creating a PRD based on customer feedback:

1. Document the customer request verbatim
2. Analyze the underlying problem
3. Generalize the solution for all users
4. Validate with product strategy
5. Scope appropriately (might be smaller or larger than request)

Scenario 2: Strategic Initiative

When creating a PRD for a strategic company initiative:

1. Link to company OKRs/goals
2. Include market analysis
3. Consider competitive landscape
4. Think multi-phase rollout
5. Include success criteria aligned with strategy

Scenario 3: Technical Debt / Infrastructure

When creating a PRD for technical improvements:

1. Explain user impact (even if indirect)
2. Document current limitations
3. Articulate benefits (speed, reliability, maintainability)
4. Include engineering input heavily
5. Define measurable improvements

Scenario 4: Compliance / Regulatory

When creating a PRD for compliance requirements:

1. Reference specific regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
2. Include legal/compliance review
3. Deadline is usually non-negotiable
4. Focus on minimum viable compliance
5. Document audit trail requirements

Validation & Quality Checks

Self-Review Checklist

Before finalizing the PRD, verify:

• Problem is clear: Anyone can understand what we're solving
• Users are identified: We know who this is for
• Success is measurable: We can determine if it worked
• Scope is bounded: Clear what's in and out
• Requirements are testable: QA can verify completion
• Timeline is realistic: Estimates validated with engineering
• Risks are identified: We've thought through what could go wrong
• Stakeholders aligned: Key people have reviewed and approved

Using the Validation Script

Resources

This skill includes bundled resources:

scripts/

• generate_prd.sh - Interactive PRD generation workflow
• validate_prd.sh - Validates PRD completeness and quality

references/

• prd_template.md - Standard PRD template structure
• user_story_examples.md - User story patterns and examples
• metrics_frameworks.md - Guide to PM metrics (AARRR, HEART, OKRs)

Tips for Product Managers

Before Writing the PRD

1. Do your research: User interviews, data analysis, competitive analysis
2. Validate the problem: Ensure it's worth solving
3. Check strategic alignment: Does this fit our roadmap?
4. Estimate effort: Rough t-shirt size with engineering
5. Consider alternatives: Is this the best solution?

During PRD Creation

1. Be clear, not clever: Simple language wins
2. Show, don't tell: Use examples, mockups, diagrams
3. Think edge cases: What could go wrong?
4. Prioritize ruthlessly: What's MVP vs. nice-to-have?
5. Collaborate early: Don't work in isolation

After PRD Completion

1. Review with stakeholders: Get feedback early
2. Iterate based on input: PRDs are living documents
3. Present, don't just share: Walk through the PRD
4. Get formal sign-off: Ensure commitment
5. Keep it updated: Adjust as understanding evolves

Examples

Example 1: Mobile Feature PRD

Example 2: Web Platform Enhancement

Example 3: B2B Product PRD

Troubleshooting

Issue: PRD is too long/detailed

Solution: Create a "Lean PRD" focusing on problem, solution, acceptance criteria, and metrics. Reserve full PRD for major initiatives.

Issue: Requirements are too vague

Solution: Add specific examples, use concrete numbers, include visual references. Replace "fast" with "loads in under 2 seconds."

Issue: Stakeholders not aligned

Solution: Share PRD early as draft, incorporate feedback, present in person, get explicit sign-off before development starts.

Issue: Scope keeps expanding

Solution: Use "Out of Scope" section aggressively, create separate PRDs for future phases, tie scope to timeline constraints.

Issue: Engineers say it's not feasible

Solution: Involve engineering earlier in process, be flexible on solution approach, focus on problem not implementation.

Best Practices Summary

1. Start with the problem, not the solution
2. Write for your audience (execs need summary, engineers need details)
3. Be specific and measurable (avoid vague language)
4. Include visuals (mockups, diagrams, flows)
5. Define success upfront (metrics, not features)
6. Scope aggressively (MVP mentality)
7. Collaborate, don't dictate (get input from all functions)
8. Keep it updated (PRD is a living document)
9. Focus on "why" and "what", not "how" (let engineers solve "how")
10. Make it skimmable (headers, bullets, summaries)