task-decomposition

Task Decomposition Diagnostic

Transform overwhelming development tasks into manageable units by respecting cognitive limits, creating clear boundaries, and enabling parallel work. Tasks properly decomposed achieve 3x higher completion rates and 60% fewer defects.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• A task feels too big to estimate
• Unsure where to start
• Blocked by dependencies
• Task keeps growing (scope creep)
• Need to break down an epic or feature

Do NOT use this skill when:

• Task is already small and clear
• Doing implementation work
• Architecture decisions needed (use system-design)

Core Principle

The goal isn't more tasks—it's the right tasks. Tasks small enough to understand completely, large enough to deliver value, independent enough to avoid blocking.

Quick Reference: Cognitive Limits

Limit	Threshold	Implication
Working memory	7±2 items	Max concepts per task
Context switch recovery	23 minutes	Minimize task switching
Files examined	15-20 max	Bound task scope
Days before completion drops	2-3 days	Keep tasks under this

Task Duration Success Rates

Duration	Completion Rate
< 2 hours	95%
2-4 hours	90%
4-8 hours (1 day)	80%
2-3 days	60%
1 week	35%
> 2 weeks	<10%

Diagnostic States

TD1: Too Big to Understand

Symptoms: Estimates range wildly, can't hold all requirements in mind, more than 7 concepts to track

Interventions:

• Apply INVEST criteria: Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable
• Use vertical slicing (each slice is independently deployable)
• Apply walking skeleton (minimal end-to-end first)

TD2: No Clear Entry Point

Symptoms: Multiple valid starting points, paralysis, everything seems connected

Interventions:

• Front-load risk: start with highest-uncertainty items
• Tracer bullet: minimal proof of concept
• Find the walking skeleton: thinnest slice through all layers

TD3: Dependency Problems

Symptoms: "Blocked on X", diamond dependencies, coordination overhead

Interventions:

• Interface contracts: define API, mock while implementing
• Feature flags: deploy independently, enable when ready
• Branch by abstraction: create layer, swap implementations

TD4: No Clear Done Criteria

Symptoms: "Almost done" forever, no way to verify completion

Interventions:

• Define acceptance criteria (Given/When/Then)
• Time-box to force prioritization
• Define explicit out-of-scope items

TD5: Scope Creep

Symptoms: Task keeps growing, "while we're here" additions

Interventions:

• Freeze scope, spawn new tasks for additions
• Define minimum viable version
• Ship smallest version that solves the problem

TD6: Need Spike First

Symptoms: Estimate variance > 4x, new technology, multiple approaches

Interventions:

• Time-boxed spike (8 hours max)
• Deliverables: options, POC, trade-offs, revised estimate
• Spike then implement pattern

Decomposition Patterns

Vertical Slicing (Preferred for Features)

Feature: User Profile Management

Slice 1: View basic profile (4h)
  - UI: Profile display
  - API: GET /profile
  - DB: Read profile

Slice 2: Edit profile name (6h)
  - UI: Edit dialog
  - API: PATCH /profile/name
  - DB: Update profile

Each slice is independently deployable

Walking Skeleton (For New Systems)

Minimal end-to-end first:
1. Hello World page
2. One GET endpoint
3. Single table
4. Basic deploy

Then flesh out incrementally

Tracer Bullet (Validate Architecture)

Step 1: Minimal Service A (1h) - Hardcoded response
Step 2: Minimal Service B (1h) - Simple transformation
Step 3: Integrate (2h) - Prove they communicate

Total: 4 hours to decision point

Estimation Techniques

Complexity Sizing (Fibonacci)

Points	Meaning
1	Trivial, < 1 hour
2	Simple, 1-2 hours
3	Standard, 2-4 hours
5	Moderate, 4-8 hours
8	Complex, 1-2 days
13	Very complex, 2-3 days
21	Too large, must decompose

Three-Point Estimation

O = Optimistic (everything perfect)
L = Likely (normal case)
P = Pessimistic (major issues)

PERT estimate: (O + 4L + P) / 6

Anti-Patterns

Big Bang Delivery

Building complete system before any delivery. Fix: Vertical slices, incremental value.

Technical Tasks Without Value

"Set up database," "Create service layer." Fix: Include in feature tasks: "User can view products (includes DB)."

Research Forever

Unbounded investigation. Fix: Time-boxed spikes with deliverables.

Perfect Decomposition

Over-analyzing before starting. Fix: Decompose next 2 weeks. Details for later work emerge.

Decomposition Checklist

Before starting any task:

• Can hold all requirements in working memory?
• Duration under 2-3 days?
• Clear acceptance criteria exist?
• Dependencies identified and broken where possible?
• Can be completed independently?
• Delivers verifiable value?
• Estimate confidence is high?

If any "no" → further decomposition needed.

Related Skills

• github-agile - Track decomposed work as issues
• system-design - Understand architectural boundaries
• requirements-analysis - Clarify unclear requirements
• code-review - Review after implementation