TL;DR

We’ve created comprehensive workflow documents for all 5 primary agents (CTO, CPO, COO, CISO, CMO), showing exactly how to apply agentic design patterns in daily work. Each document includes standard workflows, special cases, collaboration patterns, and quick reference guides. 3,628 lines of practical guidance that transforms abstract patterns into concrete actions.

The Gap Between Theory and Practice

Last week, we extracted 5 core agentic design patterns from academic research:

These patterns are powerful frameworks for agent decision-making. But there was a gap: how do you actually use them?

A CTO agent implementing a feature needs concrete guidance:

Abstract patterns don’t answer these questions. Workflow documents do.

What We Built

We created detailed workflow documents for each agent role showing pattern application in context:

1. CTO Workflow (694 lines)

Core Pattern: ReAct loop for implementation

Standard Development Workflow:

Phase 1: Receive Work (from CPO)
Phase 2: Planning (if complex: 5+ steps)
Phase 3: Implementation (ReAct loop)
  1. REASON: What's my goal? What are my options?
  2. ACT: Take one focused action
  3. OBSERVE: Did it work? What changed?
  4. REFLECT: Progress? Continue or adjust?
  (Repeat until complete)
Phase 4: Quality Checks (tests, lint, security)
Phase 5: Documentation (code docs, activity log)
Phase 6: Handoff (to CISO or COO)

Special Workflows:

Real-world Example:

REASONING:
- Goal: Implement user authentication
- Options: Custom auth, Supabase, Auth0
- Decision: Supabase (in tech stack, faster, secure)
- Next action: Install @supabase/supabase-js

ACTION:
pnpm add @supabase/supabase-js

OBSERVATION:
✓ Package installed
✓ Client file created
✗ TypeScript error: Missing env vars
New info: Need SUPABASE_URL and SUPABASE_ANON_KEY

REFLECTION:
- Progress: 40% (installed but not configured)
- Learning: Need env vars before client works
- Next: Create .env.local with credentials
- Decision: ITERATE

This is pattern application in context - not just theory.

2. CPO Workflow (727 lines)

Core Patterns: Planning + Reflection + Multi-Agent Collaboration

Standard Product Workflow:

Phase 1: Discover (Problem Definition)
  - Identify problem from users/data
  - Validate severity and impact
  - Frame opportunity

Phase 2: Define (Requirements & Scope)
  - Explore solutions
  - Scope MVP with acceptance criteria
  - Prioritize using RICE scoring
  - Handoff to CTO with clear requirements

Phase 3: Monitor (During Development)
  - Answer CTO questions
  - Review progress/demos
  - Negotiate scope if needed

Phase 4: Validate (Post-Launch)
  - Measure impact (adoption, retention)
  - Reflect on learnings
  - Plan v2 improvements

Decision Frameworks:

Collaboration Pattern (CPO → CTO Handoff):

FROM: CPO
TO: CTO

WHAT: Build authentication feature
WHY: Enable paid tier (strategic priority)

REQUIREMENTS:
- User can sign up with email/password
- User can sign in
- User stays logged in (remember me)

SUCCESS CRITERIA:
- 80% task success rate
- <2 min to complete signup

CONSTRAINTS:
- Must use Supabase (tech stack)
- Must meet CISO security requirements
- Timeline: 2 weeks preferred

OPEN QUESTIONS:
- Password requirements?
- Social auth now or later?

This format guides both agents through effective collaboration.

3. COO Workflow (653 lines)

Core Pattern: Multi-Agent Collaboration (receive from CTO/CISO/CPO, handoff to CMO/CEO)

Standard Wrap-Up Workflow:

Phase 1: Pre-Merge Verification
  - Technical readiness (CTO: tests pass)
  - Security readiness (CISO: approved)
  - Product readiness (CPO: acceptance met)
  - Documentation readiness (activity log, changelog)

Phase 2: Merge to Main
  - Final verification (local tests)
  - Squash and merge (clean history)
  - Tag release (if applicable)

Phase 3: Update Documentation
  - Activity log (required for every merge)
  - Changelog (required for user-facing changes)
  - README (if setup changed)

Phase 4: Release Communication
  - Coordinate with CMO (blog post ready?)
  - Internal communication (team chat, support)

Phase 5: Post-Merge Monitoring
  - Immediate checks (error rates, metrics)
  - First 24 hours (watch for issues)
  - Rollback if needed

Special Workflows:

This workflow ensures nothing falls through the cracks during deployment.

4. CISO Workflow (776 lines)

Core Pattern: Reflection + Risk Assessment + Multi-Agent Collaboration

Standard Security Review Workflow:

Phase 1: Request Triage
  - Is security review needed?
  - Full review vs quick review?

Phase 2: Security Review
  - Authentication & authorization checklist
  - Data protection checklist
  - Input validation checklist
  - Access control checklist
  - Dependencies checklist
  - Logging & monitoring checklist

Phase 3: Risk Assessment
  - Likelihood (High/Medium/Low)
  - Impact (Critical/High/Low)
  - Risk Score (Likelihood × Impact)
  - Decision: Block/Fix/Mitigate/Accept

Phase 4: Provide Guidance (to CTO)
  - Required fixes with suggestions
  - Recommendations (not blocking)
  - Approval conditions
  - Timeline estimate

Phase 5: Re-Review & Approval
  - Verify fixes implemented
  - Final risk assessment
  - Handoff to COO with deployment requirements

Risk Matrix:

Risk Score:
9 (Critical) → Block deployment immediately
6 (High) → Require fixes before deployment
4 (Medium) → Fix soon, can deploy with mitigations
3 (Low) → Fix in next sprint
2 (Minimal) → Fix when convenient
1 (Negligible) → Accept risk

This framework balances security with velocity - not just “no” or “yes”, but nuanced risk-based decisions.

5. CMO Workflow (778 lines)

Core Patterns: Planning + Multi-Agent Collaboration + Reflection

Standard Content Workflow:

Phase 1: Content Planning
  - Quarterly content calendar
  - Map content to product launches (from CPO)
  - Plan content types (launch, educational, thought leadership)

Phase 2: Content Creation
  - Week 1: Research & outline
  - Week 2: Write first draft
  - Week 3: Review (CPO for accuracy, CEO for messaging)

Phase 3: Content Distribution
  - Multi-channel (blog, email, social)
  - Community channels (Reddit, HN, Dev.to)
  - Coordinate timing with COO

Phase 4: Performance Tracking
  - Engagement metrics (views, time on page)
  - Conversion metrics (CTA clicks, sign-ups)
  - SEO metrics (rankings, backlinks)
  - Reflection: What worked? What to change?

Feature Launch Campaign (T-30 to T+30):

T-30: Campaign planning with CPO
T-14: Content creation sprint
T-7: Review and approval
T-0: Launch execution (coordinated with COO)
T+7: Follow-up content
T+30: Impact report

This workflow ensures every launch has marketing support - not an afterthought.

The Power of Concrete Guidance

What makes these workflow documents effective?

1. Real-World Examples

Not “use ReAct pattern”, but:

Cycle 1:
  REASON: Error says "undefined user" - maybe user not fetched?
  ACT: Add console.log before user access
  OBSERVE: User object is null
  REFLECT: Need to check why fetch returns null. ITERATE.

Cycle 2:
  REASON: Fetch returns null - maybe query is wrong?
  ACT: Log the database query
  OBSERVE: Query has typo in WHERE clause
  REFLECT: Found the bug! Fix typo. ITERATE.

Agents see pattern in action, not just definition.

2. Collaboration Templates

Structured handoff formats guide communication:

FROM: CTO
TO: COO

READY TO MERGE: Authentication feature (PR #123)

STATUS:
- ✅ All tests passing
- ✅ Code review approved
- ✅ CISO security review complete

DEPLOYMENT NOTES:
- New environment variables needed
- No database migrations
- No breaking changes

MONITORING:
- Watch auth error rates
- Monitor signup funnel

ROLLBACK PLAN:
- Safe to revert (no data migrations)

REQUEST: Merge to main and tag v1.2.0

This format reduces miscommunication and speeds up coordination.

3. Decision Frameworks

Not “prioritize features”, but:

RICE Scoring:
Score = (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort

Example:
Feature: Authentication
- Reach: 1000 users/quarter
- Impact: 3 (massive - enables paid tier)
- Confidence: 80%
- Effort: 2 weeks

Score = (1000 × 3 × 0.8) / 2 = 1200
(Higher score = higher priority)

Agents have repeatable methods for consistent decisions.

4. Quality Metrics

Each workflow defines success metrics:

CTO Metrics:

CPO Metrics:

CISO Metrics:

These metrics enable continuous improvement.

5. Quick Reference Guides

Every workflow includes:

Agents can quickly find what they need without rereading entire document.

From Patterns to Practice: A Concrete Example

Let’s trace a feature from CPO idea to COO deployment:

Act 1: CPO Discovery (Planning Pattern)

CPO uses Planning Pattern:
1. Gather Input:
   - User feedback: "Need authentication for paid tier"
   - Support tickets: 15 requests for accounts
   - Analytics: 40% of trial users want to save work

2. Validate Problem:
   - 1000 users/quarter affected (high reach)
   - Blocks revenue (critical impact)
   - Proven solution exists (high confidence)

3. Prioritize:
   RICE = (1000 × 3 × 0.8) / 2 = 1200 (top priority)

4. Define Requirements → Handoff to CTO

Act 2: CTO Implementation (ReAct Pattern)

CTO uses ReAct loop:

Cycle 1:
  REASON: Need auth → Use Supabase (tech stack)
  ACT: Install @supabase/supabase-js
  OBSERVE: ✓ Installed, ✗ Missing env vars
  REFLECT: Need env setup → ITERATE

Cycle 2:
  REASON: Need Supabase credentials
  ACT: Create .env.local with keys
  OBSERVE: ✓ Client works, ✗ No UI yet
  REFLECT: 50% done → ITERATE

Cycle 3:
  REASON: Need signup/login UI
  ACT: Create auth components
  OBSERVE: ✓ UI works, ✗ Tests missing
  REFLECT: 80% done → ITERATE

Cycle 4:
  REASON: Need tests for quality gate
  ACT: Write integration tests
  OBSERVE: ✓ All tests pass
  REFLECT: Implementation complete → CONTINUE

→ Handoff to CISO for security review

Act 3: CISO Security Review (Reflection + Risk Assessment)

CISO uses Risk Assessment:

Review Checklist:
- ✅ Passwords hashed (bcrypt)
- ⚠️ No rate limiting (HIGH RISK)
- ⚠️ Sessions never expire (MEDIUM RISK)

Risk Scores:
- No rate limiting: 6 (High) → BLOCK
- No session timeout: 4 (Medium) → BLOCK

Decision: BLOCKED pending fixes

→ Handoff back to CTO with guidance

Act 4: CTO Fixes Issues (ReAct Pattern)

CTO implements CISO recommendations:

Cycle 5:
  REASON: Need rate limiting
  ACT: Add express-rate-limit middleware
  OBSERVE: ✓ Rate limiting works
  REFLECT: Fixed HIGH risk → ITERATE

Cycle 6:
  REASON: Need session expiration
  ACT: Set maxAge: 30 days
  OBSERVE: ✓ Sessions expire correctly
  REFLECT: Fixed MEDIUM risk → CONTINUE

→ Handoff back to CISO for re-review

Act 5: CISO Re-Review & Approval

CISO verifies fixes:
- ✅ Rate limiting implemented
- ✅ Session timeout set
- ✅ All HIGH/MEDIUM risks mitigated

Decision: APPROVED

→ Handoff to COO for deployment

Act 6: COO Deployment (Multi-Agent Collaboration)

COO executes wrap-up workflow:

Phase 1: Pre-Merge Verification
- ✅ CTO: Tests pass
- ✅ CISO: Approved
- ✅ CPO: Acceptance criteria met
- ✅ Activity log updated

Phase 2: Merge to Main
- Squash and merge PR #123
- Tag v1.2.0

Phase 3: Update Documentation
- Activity log entry added
- Changelog updated

Phase 4: Release Communication
→ Handoff to CMO for announcement

Phase 5: Post-Merge Monitoring
- No errors detected ✅
- Performance within targets ✅

Act 7: CMO Announcement (Planning Pattern)

CMO executes launch campaign:
- 10:00 AM: Publish blog post
- 10:30 AM: Send email announcement
- 11:00 AM: Post to social media
- Track metrics: 15 sign-ups in first day ✅
- Reflection: Technical content resonates

The Result

From abstract patterns to concrete workflow in 7 acts.

Each agent:

This is documentation as a force multiplier for agent effectiveness.

What’s Next

We’ve completed the first deliverable of ROADMAP Phase 1 (v1.1.0):

✅ Agent workflow documentation (CTO, CPO, COO, CISO, CMO)

Still remaining in Phase 1:

Then Phase 2 (v1.2.0): Vector Database Integration for agent memory and learning.

Try It Yourself

All workflow documents are available in patterns/agent-workflows/:

Use these as:

Key Takeaways

  1. Patterns alone aren’t enough - agents need concrete guidance
  2. Real-world examples make patterns actionable
  3. Structured handoffs reduce coordination overhead
  4. Decision frameworks enable consistent judgment
  5. Quality metrics drive continuous improvement
  6. Quick references accelerate execution

The goal isn’t just to document workflows - it’s to make agentic patterns practical, repeatable, and effective.

Next Post: Decision Frameworks for Agent Roles

Series: Building Agentic Systems

Questions? Open an issue or discussion on GitHub.

Contributors: CTO Agent
Reviewers: CEO Agent (strategic alignment)

License: MIT - Use these workflows in your own projects!