In an environment where artificial intelligence generates code at breakneck speed, the difference between success and chaos no longer lies in how fast we type, but in the precision of what we decide to build. AI tools are extremely powerful, but they still suffer from blank page syndrome or development without a compass if they are not fed structured context.

When we delegate or develop a project (whether alone, with a human team, or collaborating with AI agents), the lack of clear specifications generates redundant code, fragile architectures, and endless refactoring loops.

To avoid this, every project needs a solid and direct documentary base made up of 6 key documents.

The 6 mandatory documents

1. PRD (Product Requirements Document)

The founding document. Defines what is going to be built and why:

  • Product overview and objectives
  • Functional and user requirements
  • Scope (what goes in and what stays out)
  • Clear acceptance criteria

Without a PRD, development results in guesswork and unnecessary features.

2. TRD (Technical Requirements Document)

The technical guide. Defines what it will be built with:

  • Selected technological stack (languages, frameworks, databases)
  • Architecture decisions and external libraries
  • Technical, security and performance restrictions

3. App Flow

  • Phases and navigation
  • User journey
  • What exactly happens when someone presses a button

This document avoids the classic orphan screen: the one you reach but from which no one knows how to get out.

4. Design Brief

Visual coherence does not arise by spontaneous generation:

  • Color palette
  • Typography
  • Components
  • How each screen should look

5. Backend Scheme

Data is the heart of the project, and deserves to be modeled before creating the first endpoint:

  • How data is saved
  • Authentication flow
  • Each table with its columns and relationships

6. Implementation Plan

The construction map: the exact construction sequence, step by step. This document turns a wish list into an executable path, and allows both humans and agents to work in phases without stepping on each other.

Checklist before starting to code

  • PRD drafted and revised
  • TRD with stack and closed decisions
  • Defined app flow
  • Design brief ready
  • Modeled backend scheme
  • Orderly implementation plan
  • Everything uploaded to the repository, in the project documentation

These six documents are not a preliminary procedure, but the difference between directing a project and pursuing it. They define what we build (PRD), with what (TRD), how it is traversed (flow), what it looks like (design), where the data lives (backend) and in what order everything is built (plan). In a world where AI can generate code almost instantly, the competitive advantage is no longer in typing faster, but in deciding better and sooner. Document first, code later.