epic-breakdown-advisor

## Purpose Guide product managers through breaking down epics into user stories using Richard Lawrence's complete Humanizing Work methodology—a systematic, flowchart-driven approach that applies 9 splitting patterns sequentially. Use this to identify which pattern applies, split while preserving user value, and evaluate splits based on what they reveal about low-value work you can eliminate. This ensures vertical slicing (end-to-end value) rather than horizontal slicing (technical layers). This is not arbitrary slicing—it's a proven, methodical process that starts with validation, walks through patterns in order, and evaluates results strategically. ## Key Concepts ### Core Principles: Vertical Slices Preserve Value A user story is "a description of a change in system behavior from the perspective of a user." Splitting must maintain **vertical slices**—work that touches multiple architectural layers and delivers observable user value—not horizontal slices addressing single components (e.g., "front-end story" + "back-end story"). ### The Three-Step Process 1. **Pre-Split Validation:** Check if story satisfies INVEST criteria (except "Small") 2. **Apply Splitting Patterns:** Work through 9 patterns sequentially until one fits 3. **Evaluate Splits:** Choose the split that reveals low-value work or produces equal-sized stories ### The 9 Splitting Patterns (In Order) 1. **Workflow Steps** — Thin end-to-end slices, not step-by-step 2. **Operations (CRUD)** — Create, Read, Upda...