Documentation to Implementation
Learn how to transform comprehensive documentation into actionable GitHub issues and development tickets using AI assistance.
From Docs to Tickets
Well-written documentation is the foundation for successful implementation. Converting docs into specific, actionable tickets ensures nothing gets lost in translation.
Why This Matters
- Clear scope - Developers know exactly what to build
- Trackable progress - Each ticket represents measurable progress
- Parallel work - Multiple developers can work simultaneously
- Quality assurance - Each ticket has defined completion criteria
Step 1: Breaking Down Features
Use AI to decompose large features into manageable development tasks.
Feature Breakdown Prompt
Based on this feature documentation:
[paste feature documentation]
Break this down into individual development tickets that:
1. Can be completed in 1-3 days each
2. Have clear acceptance criteria
3. Include technical requirements
4. Are ordered by dependencies
5. Can be assigned to different developers
Format each ticket with:
- Title
- Description
- Acceptance criteria
- Technical notes
- Dependencies
- Estimated effort (Small/Medium/Large)Example Breakdown
markdown
# Time Tracking Feature → Development Tickets
## Ticket 1: Basic Timer UI Component
**Description:** Create a reusable timer component with start/stop/pause functionality
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- Display current elapsed time (HH:MM:SS format)
- Start button begins timing
- Stop button ends timing and resets
- Pause button temporarily stops timing
- Visual state indicators for each mode
**Technical Notes:**
- Use React hooks for state management
- Include TypeScript interfaces
- Add unit tests for timer logic
- Responsive design for mobile
**Dependencies:** None
**Effort:** Small
## Ticket 2: Timer State Management
**Description:** Implement Redux store for timer state
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- Actions for start/stop/pause/reset timer
- Store current timer state and elapsed time
- Persist timer state across page refreshes
- Handle multiple project timers
**Technical Notes:**
- Use Redux Toolkit
- Implement local storage persistence
- Add middleware for automatic saving
- Type-safe action creators
**Dependencies:** Ticket 1
**Effort:** MediumStep 2: Creating GitHub Issues
Transform tickets into properly formatted GitHub issues.
GitHub Issue Template
Use this documentation to create GitHub issues:
[paste ticket information]
Format each issue as:
**Title:** [Clear, actionable title]
**Description:**
Brief overview of what needs to be implemented
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] Specific, testable requirements
- [ ] Each item should be verifiable
- [ ] Include edge cases
**Technical Requirements:**
- Technology/framework specifics
- Performance requirements
- Security considerations
**Definition of Done:**
- [ ] Code is reviewed and approved
- [ ] Tests are written and passing
- [ ] Documentation is updated
- [ ] Feature is deployed to staging
**Labels:** [feature/bug/enhancement], [frontend/backend], [priority]
**Assignee:** [if known]
**Milestone:** [sprint/release]
**Estimated:** [story points or hours]Example GitHub Issue
markdown
**Title:** Implement Timer UI Component with Start/Stop/Pause
**Description:**
Create a reusable timer component that allows users to track time for different projects. This is the foundational UI component for the time tracking feature.
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] Display elapsed time in HH:MM:SS format
- [ ] Start button begins timer and changes to "Stop" state
- [ ] Stop button ends timer and resets to 00:00:00
- [ ] Pause button temporarily stops timer, resume continues from paused time
- [ ] Visual indicators show current timer state (running/paused/stopped)
- [ ] Component is responsive and works on mobile devices
- [ ] Timer updates every second when running
**Technical Requirements:**
- Built with React and TypeScript
- Use React hooks for local state management
- Implement useEffect for timer intervals
- Include proper cleanup to prevent memory leaks
- Follow existing component styling patterns
- Add PropTypes or TypeScript interfaces
**Definition of Done:**
- [ ] Code is reviewed and approved by team lead
- [ ] Unit tests cover timer logic and state changes
- [ ] Component is documented in Storybook
- [ ] Accessibility requirements met (ARIA labels, keyboard navigation)
- [ ] Cross-browser testing completed
- [ ] Feature deployed to staging environment
**Labels:** feature, frontend, timer, priority-high
**Milestone:** Sprint 1 - Core Timer Functionality
**Estimated:** 5 story pointsStep 3: Project Management Integration
Use AI to help organize tickets into sprints and project boards.
Sprint Planning Prompt
Given these development tickets:
[list of tickets]
Help me organize them into 2-week sprints considering:
1. Dependencies between tickets
2. Team capacity (3 developers)
3. Risk and complexity
4. User value delivery
Suggest:
- Sprint breakdown
- Parallel work opportunities
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Milestone goalsExample Sprint Organization
markdown
# Sprint Planning for Time Tracking Feature
## Sprint 1 (2 weeks) - Foundation
**Goal:** Basic timer functionality working
**Tickets:**
- Timer UI Component (Dev A) - 5 points
- Timer State Management (Dev B) - 8 points
- Project Selection Component (Dev C) - 3 points
- API endpoint design (All devs) - 2 points
**Total:** 18 points
**Risk:** Medium (new state management pattern)
## Sprint 2 (2 weeks) - Data Persistence
**Goal:** Timers persist and can be managed
**Tickets:**
- Database schema implementation (Dev A) - 5 points
- Timer API endpoints (Dev B) - 8 points
- Timer history view (Dev C) - 5 points
**Total:** 18 points
**Risk:** Low (well-defined requirements)Step 4: Agile Workflow Integration
Set up workflows that connect documentation to execution.
Story Mapping
Epic: Time Tracking System
User Journey: Freelancer tracks billable hours
├── Start work session
│ ├── Select project
│ ├── Start timer
│ └── Add description
├── Manage active session
│ ├── Pause/resume timer
│ ├── Switch projects
│ └── Edit description
└── Complete session
├── Stop timer
├── Review time entry
└── Save to projectDefinition of Ready (for tickets)
Definition of Done (for tickets)
Advanced Techniques
Automated Issue Creation
Use AI to generate GitHub issues directly from documentation:
python
# Example script using GitHub API
import openai
import github
def create_issues_from_docs(documentation):
# Use AI to break down documentation
tickets = ai_breakdown_features(documentation)
# Create GitHub issues
for ticket in tickets:
issue = repo.create_issue(
title=ticket['title'],
body=ticket['description'],
labels=ticket['labels'],
milestone=ticket['milestone']
)
print(f"Created issue #{issue.number}: {ticket['title']}")Cross-Reference Documentation
Link issues back to original documentation:
markdown
**Related Documentation:**
- [Feature Specification](link-to-feature-doc)
- [Technical Requirements](link-to-tech-spec)
- [User Stories](link-to-user-stories)
**Parent Epic:** #123 Time Tracking System
**Related Issues:** #124, #125, #126Best Practices
1. Maintain Traceability
2. Right-Size Tickets
3. Include Context
4. Plan for Testing
Tools and Integrations
Project Management Tools
Automation Opportunities
Measuring Success
Velocity Tracking
Quality Metrics
Process Improvement
Common Pitfalls
Next Steps
With your tickets created: