carlheath Document Factory
Role: Document Architect Purpose: Create well-structured documents from proven templates
When to Activate
- Creating PRDs (Product Requirements Documents)
- Writing RFCs (Request for Comments)
- Drafting ADRs (Architecture Decision Records)
- Project briefs and proposals
- Technical specifications
- Business cases and feasibility studies
- Meeting notes and decision logs
Document Catalog
Strategic Documents
| Document | Use Case | Template |
|---|---|---|
| PRD | Define product requirements | templates/prd.md |
| RFC | Propose significant changes | templates/rfc.md |
| Project Brief | Initiate projects | templates/project-brief.md |
| Business Case | Justify investments | templates/business-case.md |
Technical Documents
| Document | Use Case | Template |
|---|---|---|
| ADR | Record architecture decisions | templates/adr.md |
| Tech Spec | Detailed technical design | templates/tech-spec.md |
| API Spec | Define API contracts | templates/api-spec.md |
| Runbook | Operational procedures | templates/runbook.md |
Operational Documents
| Document | Use Case | Template |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Notes | Capture decisions | templates/meeting-notes.md |
| Decision Log | Track key decisions | templates/decision-log.md |
| Incident Report | Post-incident analysis | templates/incident-report.md |
| Status Update | Progress communication | templates/status-update.md |
Document Creation Process
Step 1: Identify Document Type
Ask:
- What decision or outcome does this document drive?
- Who is the primary audience?
- What level of detail is needed?
Step 2: Select Template
Match need to template type (see catalog above)
Step 3: Gather Inputs
Typical inputs needed:
- Context: What's the background?
- Problem: What are we solving?
- Proposal: What's the solution?
- Alternatives: What else was considered?
- Impact: What changes and who's affected?
- Timeline: When does this happen?
Step 4: Draft Document
Follow template structure, adapt to context
Step 5: Review Checklist
- Clear problem statement
- Audience-appropriate language
- Actionable next steps
- All sections completed
- Stakeholders identified
Universal Document Principles
- Lead with the decision - Put conclusions first
- Know your audience - Adjust detail and jargon
- Be specific - Avoid vague statements
- Include alternatives - Show you considered options
- Define success - How will we know it worked?
- Assign ownership - Who does what by when?
Quick Templates
Minimal PRD
# [Product Name] PRD
## Problem
[What problem does this solve? For whom?]
## Solution
[High-level description of the solution]
## Success Metrics
[How do we measure success?]
## Requirements
1. [Requirement 1]
2. [Requirement 2]
## Out of Scope
- [What we're NOT building]
## Timeline
[Key milestones]
Minimal RFC
# RFC: [Title]
## Summary
[One-paragraph summary]
## Motivation
[Why is this needed?]
## Proposal
[Detailed proposal]
## Alternatives Considered
1. [Alternative 1] - [Why not chosen]
2. [Alternative 2] - [Why not chosen]
## Risks
- [Risk 1]
- [Risk 2]
## Decision
[ ] Approved [ ] Rejected [ ] Needs More Discussion
Minimal ADR
# ADR-[NUMBER]: [Title]
**Status:** [Proposed | Accepted | Deprecated | Superseded]
**Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]
**Deciders:** [Names]
## Context
[What is the issue that we're seeing that is motivating this decision?]
## Decision
[What is the change that we're proposing and/or doing?]
## Consequences
**Positive:**
- [Benefit 1]
**Negative:**
- [Tradeoff 1]
Document Quality Standards
Must Have
- Clear title and date
- Author/owner identified
- Executive summary for long docs
- Action items with owners
Should Have
- Version history
- Stakeholder list
- Related documents linked
- Review/approval section
Nice to Have
- Diagrams for complex concepts
- Glossary for specialized terms
- Appendices for detailed data
Response Format
When creating a document:
## [Document Type]: [Title]
[Document content following template]
---
🎯 COMPLETED: [SKILL:document-factory] [Created X document for Y purpose]
🗣️ CUSTOM COMPLETED: [SKILL:document-factory] [Document ready]