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Stupid-Simple Roadmap: From Zero to Functional

This roadmap builds on the Stupid-Simple Principle.

Overview

This roadmap outlines how to apply the Stupid-Simple Principle to any project—documentation, genealogy, AI, or otherwise. The goal is to build incrementally, avoiding over-engineering and focusing on what works today.

Step 1: Define the Minimal Core

Goal: Identify the smallest functional piece of your project.

For Documentation:

  • Toolchain: Use PHP + Markdown + flat files.
  • Structure: Create a content/ folder and add a single Markdown file.
  • Test: Render the file locally using PHP’s built-in server.

For Genealogy:

  • Toolchain: Start with a CSV file of names and dates.
  • Structure: Use columns for Name, Birth Date, Death Date, and Parent.
  • Test: Open the CSV in a spreadsheet or simple script.

For AI Projects:

  • Toolchain: Use a single Python script or a notebook (e.g., Jupyter).
  • Structure: Solve one specific task (e.g., "Extract dates from a text file").
  • Test: Run the script on a small dataset.

Step 2: Build the First Layer

Goal: Expand the minimal core to handle one real use case.

For Documentation:

  • Add a second Markdown file and test navigation (e.g., a simple list of links).
  • Create a basic template for consistent headings and structure.

For Genealogy:

  • Add a second generation to your CSV.
  • Write a script to visualize 2 generations (e.g., using simple ASCII or a basic chart).

For AI Projects:

  • Expand the script to handle a second task (e.g., "Extract names and dates").
  • Test on a slightly larger dataset.

Step 3: Add Only What’s Needed

Goal: Introduce new features or complexity only when you hit a limitation.

For Documentation:

  • Need search? Add a simple JSON index and JavaScript search (like Ardens).
  • Need collaboration? Use Dropbox or a shared folder—no Git required.

For Genealogy:

  • Need more fields? Add columns for Marriage Date or Location only when you have data for them.
  • Need better visuals? Try a simple tool like Mermaid.js for diagrams.

For AI Projects:

  • Need more speed? Optimize the script or use a lightweight database (e.g., SQLite).
  • Need sharing? Export results to CSV/JSON before considering APIs.

Step 4: Test with Real Data

Goal: Ensure the system works for your use case before scaling.

For Documentation:

  • Test with 10–20 real pages of content.
  • Check that navigation, search, and rendering work as expected.

For Genealogy:

  • Test with your own family data (3–4 generations).
  • Verify that visualizations or scripts handle real-world edge cases (e.g., missing dates).

For AI Projects:

  • Test with a subset of your real data (e.g., 50 records).
  • Check for errors or unexpected outputs.

Step 5: Scale Incrementally

Goal: Grow the system one layer at a time, testing at each step.

For Documentation:

  • Add more pages in batches (e.g., 50 at a time).
  • Refine templates or navigation only when patterns emerge.

For Genealogy:

  • Add more generations or branches to your data.
  • Improve visualizations or scripts only when needed.

For AI Projects:

  • Expand the script to handle more tasks or larger datasets.
  • Add error handling or logging only when you encounter issues.

Step 6: Document and Share

Goal: Make it easy for others (or future you) to understand and maintain the system.

For All Projects:

  • Write a simple README explaining:
  • How to add/update content.
  • How to test locally.
  • How to deploy (e.g., "Copy files to the server").
  • Share the stupid-simple philosophy with collaborators.

Step 7: Repeat

Goal: Continue iterating, always asking: - "What’s the next smallest step?" - "Does this solve a real problem?"

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

  1. Premature Abstraction:
  2. "What if we need to handle 10,000 files?" → Handle 10 first.
  3. Toolchain Bloat:
  4. "We need a database/framework/API!" → Use a text file.
  5. Hypothetical Edge Cases:
  6. "What if the user does X?" → Solve for what users actually do.
  7. Over-Optimization:
  8. "Let’s make this 10% faster!" → Does it work? Move on.

Example: Ardens Documentation Roadmap

Step Action Tool/Output
1. Minimal Core Render a single Markdown file with PHP. index.php + content/index.md
2. First Layer Add navigation for 2–3 pages. Nested <ul> lists
3. Add Search Generate search_index.json and add a search box. JavaScript + JSON
4. Test Verify with 10 real pages. Local PHP server
5. Scale Add 50 pages, refine templates. Batch updates
6. Document Write a README.md for maintenance. Simple instructions
7. Repeat Add more features only when needed. Incremental updates

Example: Genealogy-AI Roadmap

Step Action Tool/Output
1. Minimal Core Create a CSV with names/dates for 1 family. family.csv
2. First Layer Add a second generation. Expanded CSV
3. Visualize Generate a simple tree diagram. ASCII or Mermaid.js
4. Test Verify with your own family data. Script + real data
5. Scale Add more branches or fields only when needed. Incremental updates
6. Document Write a README.md for adding data. Simple instructions
7. Repeat Improve visuals or add features only when limited. Focus on real needs

Key Takeaways

  1. Complex problems are solved by stacking simple solutions.
  2. Avoid tools or features until you need them.
  3. Test with real data early and often.
  4. Document just enough to maintain the system.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Premature Abstraction: Don’t design for hypotheticals—solve for what you need today.
  • Toolchain Bloat: Avoid adding databases, frameworks, or APIs until they’re actually necessary.
  • Over-Optimization: If it works, it’s good enough. Optimize later if needed.

"The world’s hardest problems won’t be solved by more complexity. They’ll be solved by people like us—stupid-simple builders who refuse to get distracted by the hypothetical, and focus on what works today."

Next Steps

  1. Start with your minimal core (e.g., a single Markdown file or CSV).
  2. Add one layer at a time, testing as you go.
  3. Share your progress—this roadmap can grow with your project!