Interactive Requirements Gathering

Structured framework for gathering requirements through interactive questionnaires. Based on the Conductor methodology's proven human-in-the-loop patterns.

When to Use

Setting up new projects
Defining product requirements
Gathering feature specifications
Onboarding users to new workflows
Any task requiring structured user input

Core Principles

1. Question Classification

Before asking ANY question, classify its type:

Type	Purpose	Phrasing	Example
Additive	Brainstorming, multiple answers valid	"Select all that apply"	"Which features do you need?"
Exclusive	Single choice required	No multi-select phrase	"Which framework should we use?"

2. Question Structure

All questions MUST follow this structure:

[Question text]

A) [Option A - often recommended, marked with "(Recommended)"]
B) [Option B]
C) [Option C]
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

3. Sequential Questioning

CRITICAL: Ask ONE question at a time. Wait for response before next question.

CORRECT:
1. Ask Question 1
2. Wait for response
3. Confirm understanding
4. Ask Question 2

INCORRECT:
1. Ask Questions 1, 2, and 3 together

Questionnaire Workflow

Step 1: Introduction

Announce the section you're working on:

"I'll now help you define [section name]. I'll ask a few questions to understand your needs."

Step 2: Sequential Questions

For each question:

Classify: Is this Additive or Exclusive?
Formulate: Create clear question with options
Present: Show options in A/B/C/D/E format
Wait: Do NOT proceed without response
Confirm: Summarize understanding before continuing

Step 3: Handle Special Options

Option D (Type your own):

Accept user's custom input
Confirm the custom response
Continue to next question

Option E (Auto-generate):

Stop asking questions for this section
Use best judgment based on previous answers
Generate content and present for review

Step 4: Generate Content

CRITICAL: Use ONLY the user's selected answers as source of truth.

CORRECT:
- User selected "OAuth 2.0" -> Generate OAuth implementation details

INCORRECT:
- Include Option A, B, C text that wasn't selected
- Include question text in generated content

Step 5: User Confirmation Loop

After generating content:

"I've drafted [document name]. Please review:"

[Content preview]

What would you like to do?
A) Approve - proceed to next step
B) Suggest Changes - tell me what to modify

Please respond with A or B.

Loop until approved or user provides alternative direction.

Question Patterns

Product Vision Questions (Additive)

What are the primary goals of this product? (Select all that apply)

A) Improve user productivity
B) Reduce operational costs
C) Enhance customer experience
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

Technology Selection Questions (Exclusive)

Which database should we use?

A) PostgreSQL (Recommended) - Best for relational data with complex queries
B) MongoDB - Document store for flexible schemas
C) SQLite - Lightweight for small applications
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

Feature Scoping Questions (Additive)

Which authentication methods should be supported? (Select all that apply)

A) Email/Password
B) OAuth (Google, GitHub)
C) Magic Links
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

Integration with AskUserQuestion Tool

When using the AskUserQuestion tool, map to this framework:

javascript

AskUserQuestion({
  questions: [
    {
      header: 'Database',
      question: 'Which database should we use?',
      multiSelect: false, // Exclusive question
      options: [
        { label: 'PostgreSQL (Recommended)', description: 'Best for relational data' },
        { label: 'MongoDB', description: 'Document store for flexible schemas' },
        { label: 'SQLite', description: 'Lightweight for small apps' },
      ],
    },
  ],
});

State Persistence

For multi-step questionnaires, save progress:

json

{
  "last_successful_step": "2.1_product_guide",
  "answers": {
    "product_type": "SaaS",
    "target_users": ["developers", "teams"]
  }
}

This enables resuming interrupted workflows.

Example Session

AGENT: "I'll help you define the product vision. First question:"

"Who are the primary users of this product?"

A) Developers
B) Business users
C) End consumers
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

USER: A, B

AGENT: "Got it - targeting developers and business users. Next question:"

"What problem does this product solve?"

A) Streamlines workflows
B) Reduces manual work
C) Improves collaboration
D) Type your own answer
E) Auto-generate and continue

USER: D - "Automates code review feedback"

AGENT: "Understood - the product automates code review feedback for developers and business users. Let me generate the product vision..."

Anti-Patterns

Do NOT:

Ask multiple questions at once
Include unselected options in generated content
Skip confirmation steps
Assume answers without asking
Use technical jargon in options without explanation

Do:

One question at a time
Clear, concise option descriptions
Summarize understanding frequently
Include escape hatches (D, E options)
Respect user's custom inputs

Related Skills

```
project-onboarding
```
- Use this framework during project setup
```
context-driven-development
```
- Generate context artifacts from answers
```
brainstorming
```
- Alternative for open-ended exploration

Memory Protocol (MANDATORY)

Before starting: Read

.claude/context/memory/learnings.md

After completing:

New pattern discovered ->
```
.claude/context/memory/learnings.md
```
Issue encountered ->
```
.claude/context/memory/issues.md
```
Decision made ->
```
.claude/context/memory/decisions.md
```

ASSUME INTERRUPTION: If it's not in memory, it didn't happen.

interactive-requirements-gathering

NPX Install

Tags

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