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.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Describe the context and the pain points that make this a problem that needs to be solved as quickly as possible.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Example: Use a Product Requirements Document (PRD) template to define the user problem you're solving.
Identify your objectives.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Articulate what you are trying to achieve with as much clarity and precision as possible.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Example: Use a standard format to get buy-in and de-risk your ideas.
Define success.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Explain the future state for which you are aiming and how, specifically, you will know when you have achieved it.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Example: Use a SWOT analysis to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to the proposal.
Strive for clarity.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Support your central message with data and facts before sharing with a group.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
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.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Aim for short, direct sentences that are easy to understand.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
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.
![Document with Layers](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441cf413e8a0bcd597e8cfe_Frame%208471.png)
Activity Feed
Navigate your work's history with ease. See edits and approvals inside your documents.
![Document activity feed](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441cfad092f955681c48cc4_Frame%2084712.png)
Compare & Merge
Show marked up differences between docs and merge approved changes together.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441cfbd71ea93c75cb97dac_Frame%2084713.png)
Next: Structured Approvals
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441c3f3ebb39edb59efaf64_Vector%2029.png)