14 KiB
RE Workflow Management System - Executive Summary for Kickoff
Non-Templatized Approval Workflows
Date: October 17, 2025
Meeting Purpose: Finalize Technical Approach & Resolve Conflicts Before Development
📊 Document Comparison Overview
We have reviewed two key documents for this project:
| Document | Focus | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlined Approvals SRS | Detailed requirements for non-templatized workflows | Oct 13, 2025 | ✅ Complete |
| BPM Platform Proposal | Technical approach for multiple RE projects | Earlier | ⚠️ Partial conflict |
🚨 CRITICAL: 3 Major Conflicts Requiring Immediate Decision
Conflict #1: Frontend Technology
| Source | Technology | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRS | React.js | Flexible, large community | Need to build routing, SSR manually |
| Proposal | Next.js | Built-in SSR, routing, SEO, faster | Slightly steeper learning curve |
✅ RECOMMENDATION: Next.js
- Better performance out of the box
- Modern enterprise standard
- Built-in features save development time
👉 DECISION REQUIRED: [ ] React.js [ ] Next.js
Conflict #2: Database
| Source | Technology | Best For | Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRS | PostgreSQL | Structured data, ACID transactions | Need proper schema design |
| Proposal | MongoDB | Flexible schema, rapid changes | Eventual consistency, complex queries harder |
✅ RECOMMENDATION: PostgreSQL
- Approval workflows need ACID compliance
- Multi-level hierarchy requires relational structure
- TAT tracking and audit trails need data integrity
- User roles are structured data
👉 DECISION REQUIRED: [ ] PostgreSQL [ ] MongoDB
Conflict #3: BPM Platform vs Custom Development
| Approach | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPM Platform (Camunda/Newgen) | Use existing workflow engine | Pre-built features, visual designer | Licensing cost, learning curve, less UI flexibility |
| Custom Development | Build from scratch | Full control, exact Figma match, no licensing | More dev time, need to build workflow engine |
✅ RECOMMENDATION: Custom Development
- SRS requires "non-templatized" workflows (BPM is better for templates)
- Highly customized UI requirements (Figma designs)
- Dynamic approval levels (1-10) easier to build custom
- No licensing costs
👉 DECISION REQUIRED: [ ] BPM Platform [ ] Custom
✅ What's CONFIRMED & Aligned
Both documents agree on:
| Component | Technology | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Backend | Node.js | ✅ Confirmed |
| Authentication | SSO with Active Directory | ✅ Confirmed |
| File Storage | Cloud storage (GCS) | ✅ Confirmed |
| Security | JWT, SSL, HTTPS | ✅ Confirmed |
| Infrastructure | 1 VM, 4-Core, 16GB, Ubuntu 24.04 | ✅ Confirmed |
| Approval Pattern | Multi-level, sequential | ✅ Confirmed |
| TAT Tracking | Per-level with reminders | ✅ Confirmed |
📋 RECOMMENDED Technology Stack (Final)
✅ Frontend
Framework: Next.js 14+ (App Router)
UI Library: React 18+
State Management: Redux Toolkit
Styling: Tailwind CSS + Shadcn UI
Forms: React Hook Form + Zod
Rich Text Editor: Tiptap
File Upload: React Dropzone
HTTP Client: Axios
✅ Backend
Runtime: Node.js 20 LTS
Framework: Express.js
Language: TypeScript
API Style: RESTful
Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
ORM: Prisma (for PostgreSQL)
Email: Nodemailer + SMTP
Job Scheduler: Node-cron (for TAT reminders)
Logging: Winston
✅ Database
Primary: PostgreSQL 15+
Caching: Redis (optional)
✅ Infrastructure
Cloud: Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Compute: 1 VM - Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
4-Core, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD
Storage: Google Cloud Storage (GCS)
Web Server: Nginx (reverse proxy)
Process Manager: PM2
SSL: Let's Encrypt or GCP Managed
✅ AI Integration
Service: OpenAI GPT-4 (or Azure OpenAI)
Purpose: Generate conclusion remarks
✅ DevOps
Repository: GitHub / GitLab
CI/CD: GitHub Actions
Monitoring: Google Cloud Monitoring + Sentry
Testing: Jest + React Testing Library + Playwright
🔐 Critical Dependencies (BLOCKERS)
These MUST be provided before development can begin:
1. SSO Integration (CRITICAL)
- SSO endpoint URL
- Integration documentation
- Client ID and Client Secret
- Test environment access
- 10-15 test user accounts
- Sample JWT token structure
Without this: ❌ Cannot implement login
2. Active Directory Access (CRITICAL)
- AD integration method (LDAP / Graph API / Custom API)
- Service account credentials
- AD schema documentation (available fields)
- Sample AD query response
Without this: ❌ Cannot implement @tagging feature
3. Database (CRITICAL)
- Database server hostname and port
- Database name, username, password
- PostgreSQL version
- Connection string
Without this: ❌ Cannot persist any data
4. GCP Infrastructure (CRITICAL)
- GCP project access (IAM permissions)
- VM IP address / hostname
- SSH access credentials
- GCS bucket name and credentials
Without this: ❌ Cannot deploy application
5. Email Service (HIGH PRIORITY)
⚠️ CLARIFICATION NEEDED:
- SRS says: "Optional email integration"
- Proposal assumes: Email is required
👉 DECISION REQUIRED: Is email mandatory or optional?
If mandatory, need:
- SMTP host, port, credentials
- Sender email address (e.g.,
workflow-noreply@royalenfield.com) - Daily sending limits
- Email template designs (HTML)
Without this: ⚠️ Cannot send notifications
6. AI Service (MEDIUM PRIORITY)
- AI service selection (OpenAI / Azure / Gemini)
- API credentials
- Data privacy clearance
Without this: ⚠️ Cannot generate conclusion remarks (can build later)
7. Domain & SSL (HIGH PRIORITY)
- Domain name (e.g.,
workflow.royalenfield.com) - DNS configuration
- SSL certificate
Without this: ⚠️ Cannot access via proper URL
8. Figma Access (HIGH PRIORITY)
- Figma developer handoff access
- Brand assets (logos, colors, fonts)
- Icon library
Without this: ⚠️ UI won't match designs
🎯 Development Timeline (Estimated)
Assuming all dependencies are resolved:
| Phase | Duration | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Setup & Design | 2 weeks | Environment setup, database schema, API design |
| Sprint 1-2 | 4 weeks | SSO, User management, Basic workflow creation |
| Sprint 3-4 | 4 weeks | Approval hierarchy, TAT tracking, Notifications |
| Sprint 5-6 | 4 weeks | Work Notes, Documents, Activity logs |
| Sprint 7 | 2 weeks | AI integration, Closure remarks |
| Sprint 8 | 2 weeks | Dashboard, Reports, Polish |
| Testing & UAT | 3 weeks | QA testing, UAT, bug fixes |
| Deployment | 1 week | Production deployment, monitoring setup |
Total: ~22 weeks (5.5 months)
⚠️ This assumes:
- All dependencies provided in Week 1
- No scope changes
- Timely feedback from RE (within 3 days)
- No major blockers
📅 Immediate Action Items
This Week (Week 0 - Pre-Development):
🔴 CRITICAL DECISIONS:
- Decision: React.js or Next.js?
- Decision: PostgreSQL or MongoDB?
- Decision: BPM Platform or Custom?
- Decision: Is email mandatory?
- Decision: Which AI service?
🔴 CRITICAL ACCESS:
- SSO integration documentation
- AD integration method
- 10-15 test user accounts
- Database credentials
- GCP project access
📋 SETUP:
- Create Git repository
- Set up project management tool (Jira/Zoho)
- Create communication channel (Teams/Slack)
- Identify project coordinator from RE side
Week 1 (Kickstart):
- Finalize architecture document
- Create database schema design
- Design API endpoint specification
- Set up development environment
- Configure CI/CD pipeline
- Begin Sprint 1 planning
📞 Required Stakeholders for Kickoff Meeting
Must Attend:
- ✅ Product Owner (RE)
- ✅ Project Sponsor (RE)
- ✅ Tech Lead / CTO (RE)
- ✅ IT Infrastructure Team (for SSO/AD)
- ✅ Database Admin (for DB access)
- ✅ Security/InfoSec representative
- ✅ Development Team Lead (Softude)
- ✅ Project Manager (Softude)
Should Attend:
- ⚠️ UX/UI Designer
- ⚠️ QA Lead
- ⚠️ DevOps Lead
- ⚠️ Business Analyst
🎯 Meeting Agenda (Proposed)
Duration: 90 minutes
Part 1: Technology Decisions (30 mins)
- Present conflicts (React vs Next.js, PostgreSQL vs MongoDB, BPM vs Custom)
- Discuss pros/cons
- Make decisions and document
Part 2: Critical Dependencies (30 mins)
- Review list of required access/credentials
- Assign owners for each dependency
- Set deadlines for each deliverable
Part 3: Project Setup (20 mins)
- Communication cadence (daily standups, weekly reviews)
- Project management tool
- Git repository setup
- UAT planning
Part 4: Q&A & Next Steps (10 mins)
- Address any concerns
- Confirm next meeting date
- Assign action items
📊 Success Criteria
Development can begin when:
- ✅ All 3 technology conflicts resolved
- ✅ SSO documentation received
- ✅ Test user accounts provided
- ✅ Database credentials received
- ✅ Git repository created
- ✅ Project coordinator assigned
Project is successful when:
- ✅ All SRS requirements implemented
- ✅ UAT sign-off received
- ✅ Performance: <3 seconds response time
- ✅ Security: All security measures implemented
- ✅ 99% uptime achieved
- ✅ Zero critical bugs in production (first 2 weeks)
🚨 Risk Mitigation
| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Dependencies not provided on time | 🔴 HIGH | Start with mock data, build in parallel |
| SSO integration issues | 🔴 HIGH | Request early access, test thoroughly |
| Scope creep | 🟡 MEDIUM | Strict change control process |
| Resource unavailability | 🟡 MEDIUM | Cross-train team members |
| Email service delays | 🟢 LOW | Make it optional for initial phase |
| AI service issues | 🟢 LOW | Build with fallback to manual entry |
💰 Cost Considerations
Infrastructure (GCP):
- VM: ~$100-150/month
- GCS storage: ~$20-50/month
- Database: ~$50-100/month (managed)
- Total: ~$170-300/month
AI Service (OpenAI GPT-4):
- Estimated: ~$50-200/month (depending on usage)
- Alternative: Azure OpenAI (enterprise pricing)
Email Service:
- If internal SMTP: $0
- If SendGrid/SES: ~$10-50/month
Licenses:
- Figma (if needed): Included in RE subscription
- GitHub/GitLab: Standard plan sufficient
- Monitoring tools: GCP free tier should cover initial needs
Total Estimated Monthly Cost: $230-550
📋 Checklist for Kickoff Meeting
Before Meeting:
- Send this document to all stakeholders (48 hours before)
- Request everyone to review and come prepared with decisions
- Create shared decision log document
- Prepare presentation slides (if needed)
During Meeting:
- Record all decisions
- Assign owners for each action item
- Set deadlines for each deliverable
- Get commitment from all parties
After Meeting:
- Send meeting minutes within 24 hours
- Update tracking sheet with action items
- Follow up on overdue items weekly
- Schedule next checkpoint meeting
📎 Appendix: Reference Documents
- streamlined_approvals.md - System Requirements Specification (776 lines)
- Royal Enfield Proposal 1.06.txt - BPM Platform Proposal (650 lines)
- Figma Hi-Fi Wireframe - https://sway-dense-03017508.figma.site
- RE_FULLSCOPE_AND PROJECT_STRUCTURE.md - Full project scope
- RE_Workflow_Complete_Project_Setup.md - Complete setup guide
- RE_Project_Kickoff_Requirements.md - Detailed pre-development checklist
- RE_Tech_Stack_Conflicts_And_Clarifications.md - Technical deep-dive
✅ Sign-Off Required
By signing below, all parties agree to:
- Technology stack decisions made
- Dependencies will be provided as per timeline
- Communication cadence will be followed
- Change control process will be respected
| Name | Role | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Owner (RE) | |||
| Tech Lead (RE) | |||
| Project Manager (Softude) | |||
| Development Lead (Softude) |
Document Status: ✅ READY FOR REVIEW
Priority: 🔴 CRITICAL
Action Required: Schedule kickoff meeting ASAP
Prepared By: Development Team
Date: October 17, 2025
📧 Proposed Email to Send
Subject: URGENT: RE Workflow Management System - Kickoff Meeting Required
Hi Team,
We're ready to start development on the RE Workflow Management System
(Non-Templatized Approval Workflows) but need to resolve 3 critical
technology conflicts and obtain essential access credentials.
I've prepared a comprehensive Executive Summary document that covers:
✅ Technology stack conflicts requiring decisions
✅ Critical dependencies blocking development
✅ Recommended approach
✅ Timeline estimate (5.5 months)
✅ Meeting agenda
Please review the attached document: RE_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY_KICKOFF.md
Can we schedule a 90-minute kickoff meeting this week?
Proposed dates:
- [Date 1]
- [Date 2]
- [Date 3]
Required Attendees:
- Product Owner
- Tech Lead/CTO
- IT Infrastructure Team (SSO/AD)
- Database Admin
- Security/InfoSec
- Development Team
Looking forward to getting this project started!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Development Team Lead
END OF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY