Template: Spike

Title: [Brief title describing the topic or problem]
Author(s): [Name(s)]
Date Started: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Timebox: [e.g., 1 day, 2 days]
Status: Proposed / In Progress / Complete


Objective

What is the purpose of this spike?
List the specific questions you’re trying to answer or the uncertainty you aim to reduce.

Example:

  • Can we integrate with Payment Provider X using our current backend architecture?
  • What performance impact does the new GraphQL query have?

Context

Provide any relevant background or links to user stories, issues, or RFCs.
Why is this spike needed now?

Approach

Describe how you plan to conduct the spike.
Include tools, frameworks, or APIs to evaluate, experiments to run, etc.

Example:

  • Build a minimal PoC using Provider X’s SDK
  • Simulate 100 concurrent requests on the new query
  • Evaluate SDK compatibility with our existing CI pipeline

Findings

Summarize what you learned. Include relevant data, screenshots, test results, logs, code snippets, etc.

Recommendation

Based on your findings, what do you recommend?
Is a path forward clear? What’s the next step?

Outcomes

  • Answered key question(s)?
  • Code or prototype produced (if applicable)?
  • Documentation or notes shared with team?

References / Links

Link to any code repos, docs, tickets, test results, etc.

Follow-up Tasks

  • Add outcome to relevant story or epic
  • Convert findings into design doc / implementation plan
  • Schedule review with team