Spike/Feature R&D Template

🔍 Spike/Feature R&D Template

Research & Exploration

## 🔍 SPIKE: [Investigation Topic]

### 🎯 Research Objective

- What are we trying to understand or explore?
- What problem are we investigating?
- What questions need to be answered?

### 📋 Investigation Scope

- **Time Box**: [X hours/days]
- **Deliverables**: What will be produced?
- **Success Criteria**: How do we know we're done?
- **Constraints**: Any limitations or boundaries?

### 🔬 Research Approach

- **Methodology**: How will we investigate?
- **Tools & Technologies**: What will we use?
- **Data Sources**: Where will information come from?
- **Experiments**: Any proof-of-concepts planned?

### 📊 Findings & Analysis

- **Key Discoveries**: What did we learn?
- **Technical Feasibility**: Is this approach viable?
- **Performance Implications**: Any performance concerns?
- **Security Considerations**: Security implications?
- **Cost Analysis**: Resource requirements?

### 🎨 Design Considerations

- **User Experience**: How does this affect users?
- **Architecture Impact**: System design implications?
- **Integration Points**: How does this fit with existing systems?
- **Scalability**: Can this solution scale?

### 🚧 Risks & Challenges

- **Technical Risks**: What could go wrong technically?
- **Timeline Risks**: Any schedule concerns?
- **Resource Risks**: Resource availability issues?
- **Mitigation Strategies**: How to address risks?

### 📈 Recommendations

- **Go/No-Go Decision**: Should we proceed?
- **Next Steps**: What should happen next?
- **Alternative Approaches**: Other options considered?
- **Implementation Strategy**: How to move forward?

### 📚 Documentation & Artifacts

- [ ] Research notes documented
- [ ] Code samples/proof-of-concepts included
- [ ] Architecture diagrams created
- [ ] Performance benchmarks recorded
- [ ] Security assessment completed
- [ ] Cost analysis documented

### 🎯 Decision Points

- **Technical Decision**: What technical approach to take?
- **Resource Decision**: What resources are needed?
- **Timeline Decision**: When can this be implemented?
- **Scope Decision**: What's included/excluded?

### 📋 Follow-up Actions

- [ ] Create implementation tickets
- [ ] Schedule team discussion
- [ ] Update project roadmap
- [ ] Document lessons learned
- [ ] Share findings with stakeholders

📝 Usage Guidelines

When to Use This Template

• Technical Research: Exploring new technologies or approaches
• Proof of Concepts: Validating technical feasibility
• Architecture Decisions: Investigating system design options
• Performance Analysis: Understanding performance implications
• Security Assessment: Evaluating security considerations
• Cost Analysis: Understanding resource requirements

Best Practices

• Time Box: Always set clear time limits for SPIKE work
• Document Everything: Record all findings and decisions
• Share Results: Present findings to the team
• Clear Recommendations: Provide actionable next steps
• Risk Assessment: Identify and document all risks

Success Criteria

• Clear understanding of the problem space
• Documented findings and recommendations
• Go/no-go decision made
• Next steps clearly defined
• Team alignment on approach

This template ensures thorough investigation and clear documentation of research findings for informed decision-making.

Last Updated: September 9, 2025 by @drhinca: Adrián Bado Chinca