Context Mapping
Guide identification of Existing systems, Integrations, Ownership, and External dependencies relevant to a problem under exploration. This is an interactive SKILL.
What is covered in this Skill?
- Identifying existing systems that already touch the problem area
- Mapping integrations and data flows between those systems
- Naming ownership: who operates, maintains, or is accountable for each system or integration
- Identifying external dependencies (third-party services, other teams, contracts) outside the team's direct control
- Feeding context-mapping findings into
025-quality-attribute-discovery and the remaining Functional Specification lenses
Constraints
Map the surrounding context before any design decision assumes a system boundary. When this technique is orchestrated by another workflow, the orchestrator owns clarifying-question sequencing; when applied standalone, ask directly.
- MUST read
references/024-context-mapping.md before applying Context Mapping guidance
- MUST identify existing systems that already touch the problem area, not only the system expected to change
- MUST identify integrations and data flows between the identified systems
- MUST name an owner (team or role) for each identified system or integration when known
- MUST identify external dependencies outside the team's direct control, such as third-party services, other teams, or contracts
- MUST NOT invent a system, integration, owner, or external dependency when the available content is vague or ambiguous; flag the gap for a clarifying question instead
When to use this skill
- Map the systems and integrations around this problem
- Identify ownership for these systems
- List the external dependencies for this issue
- Apply context mapping before design begins
- Draft the Context Mapping section of a Functional Specification
Workflow
- Read the Reference
Read references/024-context-mapping.md, then review the problem frame for systems already implicated by the problem.
- Identify Existing Systems
List existing systems that already touch the problem area, including systems that are affected but not expected to change.
- Map Integrations
Identify integrations and data flows between the identified systems.
- Name Ownership
Name an owning team or role for each identified system or integration when known.
- Identify External Dependencies
Identify third-party services, other teams, or contracts outside the team's direct control that the problem or its resolution depends on.
- Report the Context Map
Report Existing systems, Integrations, Ownership, and External dependencies, and flag any item left open pending a clarifying answer.
Reference
For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/024-context-mapping.md.