standards: Update FFG-STD-002 to v2.0 - Add Decision Capture Rule

Major additions to prevent documentation gaps:

1. Decision Capture Rule (CRITICAL)
   - Immediate documentation of all decisions (within 5 minutes)
   - Prevents 'verbal decision → lost context' failure mode
   - Real example: Reddit/Bluesky/Mastodon/Kick platform decision

2. Task Status Precision
   - New 6-status system:  COMPLETE, 🔄 IN PROGRESS,  WAITING,
     📋 READY,  BLOCKED, 🗓️ PLANNED
   - Required WHO/WHAT context for WAITING status
   - Examples of good vs bad documentation

Root cause addressed: NEXT-SESSION-PRIORITY.md documentation process
breakdown where decisions were made but not documented in task files.

Version: 1.0 → 2.0
Updated by: The Verifier (Chronicler #42)
This commit is contained in:
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2026-03-26 07:26:18 +00:00
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**Created:** February 16, 2026
**Created By:** The Chronicler (current session)
**Authority:** Michael "Frostystyle" Krause + The Chronicler
**Version:** 1.0
**Version:** 2.0 (Updated March 26, 2026)
**Applies To:** All tasks in `docs/core/tasks.md`
---
@@ -298,6 +298,192 @@ git commit -m "Update [task-name]: [what changed]"
---
## ⚡ DECISION CAPTURE RULE (CRITICAL)
### The Problem: Verbal Decision → Lost Context
**What happens:**
1. Michael makes a decision during a session (add platforms, change priority, assign to someone)
2. Chronicler remembers the decision in session context
3. Decision is NOT immediately documented in task files
4. Next Chronicler reads task files, decision is completely lost
5. Work gets marked "supposed to be done" but has no documentation
**Real example (March 2026):**
- Decision: Add Reddit, Bluesky, Mastodon, Kick to social media platforms
- NOT documented in Task #56
- Next Chronicler had no idea these platforms were decided
- Created documentation gap that looked like failed work
### The Rule: Immediate Documentation
**WHENEVER Michael makes a decision that affects a task, the Chronicler MUST:**
**Within 5 minutes:**
1. Update the relevant task documentation (tasks.md or task directory files)
2. Commit with message: `docs: Update Task #XX - [decision]`
3. Push to Gitea before continuing other work
**Examples of decisions requiring immediate documentation:**
- ✅ Adding items to a list (platforms, features, requirements)
- ✅ Changing task priority or status
- ✅ Assigning task to someone (Meg, Holly, team member)
- ✅ Setting deadlines or dependencies
- ✅ Deciding to defer or cancel work
- ✅ Changing scope (add/remove deliverables)
- ✅ Resource allocation decisions
**This applies even for "small" decisions** - if it changes what's documented, document it NOW.
### Why This Is Non-Negotiable
**Without immediate documentation:**
- Next Chronicler has no record of the decision
- Handoffs become "he said / she said"
- Work gets duplicated or missed entirely
- Context slowly degrades across sessions
**With immediate documentation:**
- All Chroniclers work from same source of truth
- Decisions are traceable (Git history shows when/why)
- No "supposed to be done" confusion
- Clean handoffs between sessions
### Workflow Example
```bash
# Michael says: "Add Reddit to the social media platform list"
# IMMEDIATELY (before continuing conversation):
cd /home/claude/firefrost-operations-manual
vim docs/core/tasks.md
# Add Reddit to Task #56 platform list
git add docs/core/tasks.md
git commit -m "docs: Update Task #56 - Add Reddit to platform list
Decision made during session with Michael (2026-03-26).
Expands social media presence from 10 to 11 platforms."
git push
# THEN continue with other work
```
**Time cost:** 2-3 minutes per decision
**Value:** Prevents hours of confusion and rework
### Exception: Exploratory Discussions
**NOT every conversation requires documentation:**
- ❌ "What if we..." brainstorming (no decision made)
- ❌ "How would X work?" technical questions (no commitment)
- ❌ "Maybe someday..." future possibilities (not actionable)
**Only DECISIONS require immediate documentation:**
- ✅ "Yes, add that platform" (decision made)
- ✅ "Assign this to Meg" (decision made)
- ✅ "This is now high priority" (decision made)
**When in doubt:** Ask Michael: "Should I document this decision now?"
---
## 📊 TASK STATUS PRECISION
### The Problem: Vague Status Labels
**Current status labels are ambiguous:**
- "READY" - Ready to start? Prerequisites ready? Ready to finish?
- "PENDING" - Pending what? Who? When?
- "BLOCKED" - Blocked by what specifically?
This creates handoff confusion where next Chronicler doesn't know actual state.
### New Status System
**Use these precise status indicators:**
**✅ COMPLETE**
- Work is done and verified
- Deliverables deployed and tested
- Documentation updated
- Include completion date
**🔄 IN PROGRESS**
- Active work happening this session
- Clear who is working on it
- Expected completion timeframe noted
**⏳ WAITING - [Specific Dependency]**
- Blocked by external dependency
- **MUST document WHO or WHAT we're waiting on**
- Examples:
- `⏳ WAITING - Meg creating accounts (2/11 done, slow progress)`
- `⏳ WAITING - Breezehost unblocking port 25`
- `⏳ WAITING - Holly reviewing build design`
**📋 READY**
- All prerequisites met
- Can start immediately
- No blockers or dependencies
**❌ BLOCKED - [Specific Blocker]**
- Cannot proceed
- **MUST document what's blocking**
- Examples:
- `❌ BLOCKED - Task #38 (security update) must complete first`
- `❌ BLOCKED - API credentials not yet created`
**🗓️ PLANNED**
- Future work
- Not yet ready to start
- Prerequisites not met
### Required Context for WAITING Status
**NEVER use just "WAITING"** - always include:
1. **What/who we're waiting on** (person, service, approval)
2. **Current progress** (if applicable: "2/11 done")
3. **Velocity assessment** (fast/slow/stalled)
4. **Critical path impact** (does this block soft launch?)
**Example - Good:**
```markdown
**Status:** ⏳ WAITING - External dependency
**Assigned:** Meg (community manager)
**Progress:** 2/11 platforms complete (Discord, Facebook done)
**Velocity:** Slow (accounts created on Meg's timeline)
**Critical Path:** Not blocking soft launch (footer shows "Coming Soon")
```
**Example - Bad:**
```markdown
**Status:** PENDING
```
### Why This Matters
**Precise status enables:**
- ✅ Next Chronicler knows exact state without asking
- ✅ Can assess critical path impact immediately
- ✅ Knows who to follow up with
- ✅ Understands timeline expectations
- ✅ No "supposed to be done" confusion
**Vague status creates:**
- ❌ "What does READY mean here?"
- ❌ "Who do I ask about this?"
- ❌ "Is this blocking anything?"
- ❌ Wasted time hunting for context
### Migration Note
Existing tasks will be updated to new status system as they're touched.
New tasks MUST use precise status from creation.
---
## 📚 NAMING CONVENTIONS
### Directory Names
@@ -766,6 +952,19 @@ See also:
## 📋 CHANGELOG
### Version 2.0 (2026-03-26)
**Added by:** The Verifier (Chronicler #42)
**Reason:** Documentation process breakdown (NEXT-SESSION-PRIORITY.md)
**Major additions:**
- ⚡ Decision Capture Rule (CRITICAL) - Immediate documentation of all decisions
- 📊 Task Status Precision - New 6-status system with required context
- Eliminated "verbal decision → lost context" failure mode
- Required WHO/WHAT context for WAITING status
- Examples of good vs bad status documentation
**Impact:** Prevents documentation gaps between Chronicler sessions
### Version 1.0 (2026-02-16)
- Initial standard created
- Established directory structure