Structured Drafting
What:
Define the problem clearly, iterate on your initial ideas, and use version control to keep track of the history of your document.
Who:
Drafting should take place on a platform that allows for collaboration on documents. Aim to make it easy for reviewers to request feedback, approvals, and read receipts; organize and clean up comments; and make private suggestions.
Where:
With the very best collaborative tools, you can create linked versions of the main document, collaborate in real-time, track document evolutions over time, and easily merge different versions back to your main document.
Best Practices:
What: Define the problem clearly, iterate on your initial ideas, and use version control to keep track of the history of your document.
Who: Drafting should take place on a platform that allows for collaboration on documents. Aim to make it easy for reviewers to request feedback, approvals, and read receipts; organize and clean up comments; and make private suggestions.
Where: With the very best collaborative tools, you can create linked versions of the main document, collaborate in real-time, track document evolutions over time, and easily merge different versions back to your main document.
Best Practices:
Frame the issue.
Describe the context and the pain points that make this a problem that needs to be solved as quickly as possible.
Example: Use a Product Requirements Document (PRD) template to define the user problem you're solving.
Identify your objectives.
Articulate what you are trying to achieve with as much clarity and precision as possible.
Example: Use a standard format to get buy-in and de-risk your ideas.
Define success.
Explain the future state for which you are aiming and how, specifically, you will know when you have achieved it.
Example: Use a SWOT analysis to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to the proposal.
Strive for clarity.
Support your central message with data and facts before sharing with a group.
Example: Use an Engineering Requirements Document (ERD) template to spell out specific, measurable, time-bound tasks that lead to milestones, that lead to the objective.
Keep it concise.
Aim for short, direct sentences that are easy to understand.
Remove filler words. Keep it simple.
Success is:
You know you've completed a successful drafting process when you’ve created a document that clearly presents your proposal or idea.
Templates:
Success is: You know you've completed a successful drafting process when you’ve created a document that clearly presents your proposal or idea.
Making it happen:
Here's how Almanac helps you draft and revise proposals more efficiently.
Making it happen: Here's how Almanac helps you draft and revise proposals more efficiently.
Layers
Keep your work in progress private, then merge your changes into the main doc when you're ready.
Activity Feed
Navigate your work's history with ease. See edits and approvals inside your documents.
Compare & Merge
Show marked up differences between docs and merge approved changes together.
Next: Structured Approvals
