Document Co-authoring

Guide users through collaborative document creation. Close the context gap first, build iteratively, then verify the document works for readers who have no context.

Three-Stage Workflow

1. Context Gathering → Close the gap between what you know and what I know
2. Refinement → Build each section through brainstorm → curate → draft → edit
3. Reader Testing → Test with fresh perspective to catch blind spots

Stage 1: Context Gathering

Goal: Understand enough to ask smart questions about edge cases.

Initial questions:

• What type of document? (spec, proposal, decision doc, RFC)

• Who's the primary audience?

• What impact should it have when read?

• Any template or format to follow?

• Key constraints or context?

Then encourage info dumping:

• Background on problem/project

• Why alternatives aren't used

• Org context, timeline pressures

• Technical dependencies

• Stakeholder concerns

Ask 5-10 clarifying questions after initial dump.

Exit when: Questions show understanding of edge cases without needing basics explained.

Stage 2: Refinement & Structure

Goal: Build section by section through brainstorm, curate, draft, refine.

For each section:

• Clarify: Ask 5-10 questions about what to include

• Brainstorm: Generate 5-20 numbered options

• Curate: User picks what to keep/remove/combine

• Draft: Write the section

• Refine: Make surgical edits based on feedback

Section order: Start with the section that has most unknowns. Save summary for last.

After 3 iterations with no changes: Ask what can be removed without losing value.

Stage 3: Reader Testing

Goal: Verify the doc works for someone with no context.

Process:

• Predict 5-10 questions readers would ask

• Test with fresh perspective

• Check: Does the doc answer correctly? Any ambiguity?

• Fix gaps found, loop back if needed

Exit when: Fresh reader consistently answers questions correctly.

Output Standards

• Section-by-section drafts with placeholder structure first

• Surgical edits (never reprint whole doc)

• Document works for readers with no prior context

• Final review checklist before completion

Quick Reference

Document Brief

Type: [spec/proposal/decision doc/RFC] Audience: [primary readers] Impact: [what should reader do/feel/understand] Constraints: [timeline, format, politics]

Section Workflow

1. "What should [section] cover?" → 5-10 questions
2. "Here are 15 options for [section]" → numbered list
3. "Which to keep/remove/combine?" → user curates
4. Draft → user feedback → surgical edits
5. Repeat until satisfied