| name | intent-framing |
| category | waza |
| description | Frame audience, outcome, format, and constraints into one short brief that every subsequent prompt builds on. Use as the first step of the CLARIFY -> PLAN pipeline for any non-trivial deliverable. Triggers: opening a new Cowork session, switching topics mid-session, "let's draft a…". |
Intent Framing
The single paragraph at the top of your Cowork session that everything else inherits from.
Quick Reference
| Slot | What goes in |
|---|
| Audience | Specific role(s); not "the team" |
| Outcome | The decision or action they take after |
| Format | Memo / email / slide / table / one-pager |
| Constraints | Length · tone · must-include · must-avoid · deadline |
When to Use
- First prompt of any non-trivial Cowork session.
- When changing direction mid-session — re-frame, don't drift.
- When handing a session to another agent or person — they inherit the frame.
How to Use
Write a 4-line frame and pin it to the session:
Audience: <who reads this>
Outcome: <what they decide or do>
Format: <memo / email / slide / table / one-pager>
Constraints: <length, tone, must-include, must-avoid, deadline>
Reference it in every follow-up: "Per the frame, keep this under 200 words."
Examples
| Don't: Frameless | Do: Framed |
|---|
| "Help me write something about Q3" | "Audience: SLT · Outcome: approve Q3 reforecast · Format: 1-page memo · Constraints: ≤500 words, neutral tone, must include cash bridge" |
| "Draft a deck" | "Audience: board · Outcome: ratify acquisition · Format: 8 slides max · Constraints: financials on slide 4, risks on slide 6" |
| "Update the team" | "Audience: project team · Outcome: know what changed · Format: Teams post · Constraints: ≤150 words, link to plan" |
Critical Rules
- Pin the frame. Reference it; don't restate it in every prompt.
- Audience is a role, not "everyone."
- Outcome is a verb the reader does (decide, approve, sign, schedule).
- Constraints include what to avoid, not just what to include.
Common Pitfalls
- Vague format ("a doc") — pick the artifact type.
- Audience drift — frame says "exec", drafts default to peer-level.
- Re-framing in every prompt instead of pinning once.
- Missing deadline -> no urgency -> endless polishing.
Anti-Patterns
- Re-stating the audience in every prompt — pin it once.
- Vague format ("a doc") — pick the artifact.
- Omitting constraints. Constraints are what make outputs shippable.
- Framing at the end ("oh by the way it's for the board").
Verify Before Drafting
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