Creating Custom Versonas
Custom Versonas let you extend ForgeSDLC beyond generic ceremonies: they encode your regulatory context, tech stack, risk appetite, and handoffs into short, repeatable decision rituals. Done well, they are cheaper than ad hoc reviews and more reliable than hoping specialists read the right wiki page before merge.
Structure that scales
Treat each custom Versona as a contract between implementers and a discipline:
- Trigger — Under what Spark states, tags, or risk signals does this Versona apply? (Decision-point discipline beats “every Friday.”)
- Preconditions — What must exist before the meeting is valid (draft design, threat model stub, data classification, etc.)?
- Inputs — Artifacts and links the team brings; keep the list minimal so the ritual stays short.
- Outputs — Decisions, owners, and logged outcomes (approve, revise, escalate) that the journal or tracking spine can reference.
- Blueprint linkage — Point to the canonical policies and templates on Blueprints so humans and agents share one source of truth.
Integration with the forge workflow
Custom Versonas should attach to the Spark lifecycle, not float as separate projects. When a Versona completes, work returns to the same Ore/Ingot/Spark lineage with clearer assurance. That keeps Charge honest: blocked items reflect missing decisions, not mystery states. For cross-team programs, align triggers with shared gates so one discipline does not silently veto another’s timeline.
Practical guidance
Pilot one high-friction area (e.g. third-party integration, PII handling, or production config). Measure time-to-decision and rework before rolling out more Versonas. Pair custom rituals with Versona as business value so stakeholders understand why brevity plus logging beats long unstructured meetings.