The project brief
HuffmanStacks LLC | Field notes | 2026-11-01

Turn a rough idea into a clear starting point, without writing a technical specification.

Start with the work
Describe the task as it happens today. Who starts it? What information comes in? What output must be correct? Name the point where people retype, wait, or lose track.

Define one observable result
A useful first milestone can be demonstrated. Replace ‘make it smarter’ with ‘a reviewer can find the source document behind a workpaper figure.’

List the boundaries
Identify the devices, existing systems, data categories, access owners, and deployment constraints. Keep passwords and customer records out of the initial brief.

Agree what done means
Write the user journey, the checks that prove it works, and the recovery path if a release fails. These become the foundation for implementation.

IN PRACTICE
A useful document-workflow milestone: a reviewer opens a workpaper figure and reaches the original supporting page, with the current review state visible.

WORKING CHECKLIST
[ ] Start with the work: record the decision and its evidence.
[ ] Define one observable result: record the decision and its evidence.
[ ] List the boundaries: record the decision and its evidence.
[ ] Agree what done means: record the decision and its evidence.

General engineering guidance, not a certification or service agreement.
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