Version Transition Playbook
Purpose: Extract learnings from the current version. Prepare for the rebuild.
When to use: Between POC versions. After v1 → before v2. After v2 → before v3.
Inputs Required
- Working current version
- Usage data and feedback
- Your own observations from building it
Process
1. Document What Worked
What should we keep? What patterns emerged that users liked? What technical decisions were correct?
2. Document Architectural Limitations
What won't scale? What shortcuts did we take that now hurt? What assumptions were wrong?
3. Document Functionality Gaps
What did users ask for? What did we wish existed? What edge cases did we hit?
4. Decide: Keep vs. Rebuild
For each component:
- Keep: Works well, fits future needs
- Refactor: Core is good, needs cleanup
- Rebuild: Wrong approach, start fresh
5. Write Next Version Requirements
Based on all of the above. Be specific. "Previous version = requirements for next version."
6. Archive Current Version
Tag it, document how to run it, move on. You might need to reference it later.
Outputs
- Transition document with all the above
- Clear requirements for next version
- Archived current version
Tips
- This should take 1-2 hours, not days. Don't over-document.
- Be honest about what didn't work. That's the point.
- "Rebuild" doesn't mean "bad." Sometimes the fastest path forward is starting fresh with new knowledge.
- Don't be precious. Code is cheap. Learning is expensive.
- The transition doc is for you. Write what's actually useful, skip the formality.
The Key Insight
Each version teaches you what the next version needs. v1's limitations become v2's requirements. v2's feedback becomes v3's scope.
The transition isn't overhead—it's where the learning happens.