How do I give AI a clear brief for a project?
Give the material a clear purpose and structure. Explain which sources are current, what each is for and which decisions still stand.
Start with clear intent and a structure that holds the project together. What are we trying to achieve? How does the material relate to that purpose? Which decisions still stand, and what is open for discussion?
With a tool that supports enough context, your brief can include several books, research reports and earlier drafts. Explain what each source is doing there. The assistant needs to understand how to use the material as well as what it contains.
For a book project, one file might show the author’s voice, another record editorial decisions and a third contain research to examine. Label those roles and identify the current versions. A discarded draft should not quietly overrule a decision you made yesterday.
Ask the assistant to explain its understanding before it proceeds. A useful brief gives the collaboration direction and keeps the next contribution connected to the project you are actually building.
— Martin Poliačik
Glossary: Shared mental model