Template parts: purpose, input, steps, format, review

Unit ID: AIT-M10-U01 Estimated active time: 15-20 minutes

The main idea

A good template tells you what to fill in and what to check.

Two different things. The fill-in parts change every time; the check parts stay the same and are the reason the template exists.

Why this matters

A template with no review section is a shortcut to a draft. The point of writing one down is to make the checking survive the hurry.

Safe example

A writing template has purpose, audience, safe context, constraints, output, and review.

Six parts. Three are filled each time, three stay fixed.

Better working habit

Use placeholders instead of private details.

[CUSTOMER NAME] rather than a real one. This also makes the template safe to share with a colleague.

What to watch for

Do not leave vague placeholders that produce vague output.

[CONTEXT] invites you to skip it. [WHAT CHANGED AND WHEN] does not.

Mini practice

Create a template skeleton with placeholders.

Then check that each placeholder tells you what kind of thing goes there.

Check yourself

Before moving on, answer:

• Which parts are filled each time and which are fixed?
• Does every placeholder say what belongs in it?
• Is there a review section, and would I actually do it?