Doc Co-Authoring Workflow
A structured workflow for guiding users through collaborative document creation. Act as an active guide through three stages: Context Gathering, Refinement & Structure, and Reader Testing.
When to Offer This Workflow
Trigger conditions:
- Writing documentation: "write a doc", "draft a proposal", "create a spec"
- Specific doc types: "PRD", "design doc", "decision doc", "RFC"
- Any substantial writing task
Three stages:
- Context Gathering: User provides all relevant context while clarifying questions are asked
- Refinement & Structure: Iteratively build each section through brainstorming and editing
- Reader Testing: Test the doc with a fresh perspective to catch blind spots
Stage 1: Context Gathering
Goal: Close the gap between what the user knows and what's needed for smart guidance.
Initial Questions
- What type of document is this? (tech spec, decision doc, proposal)
- Who's the primary audience?
- What's the desired impact when someone reads this?
- Is there a template or specific format to follow?
- Any other constraints or context?
Users can answer in shorthand or dump information however works best.
Info Dumping
Encourage the user to dump all context:
- Background on the project/problem
- Related discussions or documents
- Why alternative solutions aren't being used
- Organizational context (team dynamics, politics)
- Timeline pressures or constraints
- Technical architecture or dependencies
- Stakeholder concerns
Don't worry about organizing — just get it all out.
Clarifying Questions
After the initial dump, ask targeted follow-up questions to fill gaps:
- What's NOT obvious about this problem?
- What will readers be skeptical about?
- What are the key tradeoffs?
- What context do readers NOT have?
Stage 2: Refinement & Structure
Approach
For each section of the document:
- Brainstorm first: Before writing, brainstorm 3-4 possible ways to struct...
