# KaizenAgentic Intent Gap Analysis

**Date:** 2026-06-16
**Scope:** `INTENT.md`, `wiki/`, codebase (`agents/`, `src/kaizen_agentic/`, `docs/`, workplans)
**Author:** kaizen-agentic session assessment

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## Executive Summary

Kaizen-agentic is in a **two-layer state**: the strategic/conceptual layer (`INTENT.md`, `wiki/`) is well-developed; the operational layer (agents, CLI, agency framework) is substantial but implements a **deployment and memory** product more than a **measurable continuous-improvement engine**.

The largest gap: the **measurement → optimization → specification refinement loop** described in INTENT is largely unbuilt. Addressed by **KAIZEN-WP-0003** (registered 2026-06-16).

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## Alignment

| INTENT asset | Status |
|--------------|--------|
| Mission and conceptual model | `wiki/` established |
| KaizenAgent definition template | `wiki/KaizenAgentTemplate.md` — not enforced in agents |
| Meta-optimizer concept | `wiki/AgentKaizenOptimizer.md` + `agent-optimization.md` — no data pipeline |
| Idempotent/measurable principles | Documented; not in agent implementations |
| Codebase improvement guidance | `wiki/KaizenGuidance.md` — vision only |
| Prompts/experiments/mantras | `wiki/KaizenPrompting.md` — not operationalized |
| Product/pricing/brand | `wiki/` complete |
| Agency memory + Coach | WP-0002 shipped |
| CLI deployment | Functional (21 agents) |

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## Critical Gaps

### 1. Kaizen loop not closed

INTENT requires evidence-based refinement with before/after deltas. Reality: `OptimizationLoop` exists but is unwired; no `.kaizen/metrics/`; WP-0001 telemetry unstarted.

### 2. Agent template not enforced

Agents use minimal YAML frontmatter; `wiki/KaizenAgentTemplate.md` (metrics, idempotency, testing, evolution) is reference only.

### 3. KaizenGuidance unbuilt

No guide catalog, manifests, codemods, or Parse→Measure pipeline.

### 4. Coach vs optimizer not integrated

Qualitative memory (Coach) and quantitative optimization (optimizer) are separate paths.

### 5. Agent implementation boundary undeclared

INTENT says repo should not own all concrete agent implementations; 21 agents live here as reference fleet — interim state needs explicit policy.

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## Design Principles Scorecard

| Principle | Status |
|-----------|--------|
| Continuous Improvement | Partial (memory; no automated refinement) |
| Measurable by Default | Gap |
| Idempotent Operations | Gap |
| Evidence over Intuition | Gap |
| Separation of Concerns | Partial |
| Composable Capabilities | Gap |
| Human-Readable + Machine-Executable | Gap (guidance) |
| Rollback-Ready Evolution | Partial |
| Compounding Value | Partial (memory only) |

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## Remediation Sequence

1. **WP-0003** — metrics convention, CLI, optimizer wiring, Coach bridge (active)
2. **WP-0004** — ecosystem integration (agentic-resources, activity-core, artifact-store)
3. Future — KaizenGuidance catalog, phase-memory upgrade, full template conformance

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## Related Artifacts

- `SCOPE.md` — updated 2026-06-16
- `workplans/kaizen-agentic-WP-0003-measurement-loop.md`
- `history/2026-06-16-ecosystem-assessment.md`
- `wiki/EcosystemIntegration.md`
- `docs/adr/ADR-004-project-metrics-convention.md`