Andpoint DesignsA practice by Rachel Kong

From an idea to a useful first version

Give your idea a head start

You do not need a technical brief. Start with the job you want to make easier, the people involved and what a useful result would look like.

Choose the closest starting point. A few honest answers, including “not sure yet”, are enough to begin shaping the conversation.

01 / A starting point

Build an AI platform

A useful place for people, information and AI to work together.

Think through these questions

  1. Who will use it, and what should they be able to accomplish?
  2. What is the most important journey, from signing in to getting a result?
  3. What must the first version do, and what can wait?
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02 / A starting point

Improve a process

Less copying, chasing and repeating. More room for the work that matters.

Think through these questions

  1. What starts the work, what happens next, and where does it get stuck?
  2. How often does it happen, and how much time does it take?
  3. Which tools, handoffs and approvals need to stay connected?
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03 / A starting point

Shape an AI agent

Give an assistant a clear job and keep a person in control.

Think through these questions

  1. What job should the agent do, and what would a useful result look like?
  2. What information can it use, and who can give it access?
  3. What may it do on its own, and when must it ask a person or stop?
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Bring what you know. Leave room to discover.

Whichever direction you choose, these details help us find a sensible place to start:

  • What should improve, and how will you know it worked?
  • Who does the work today, which tools do they use, and how often does it happen?
  • What budget or deadline should shape the first version?
  • What information would it use, and what must a person approve?
  • Who can grant access, and what concerns does the team have?

Describe roles and types of information. No passwords, API keys, customer records or private links. You can keep these notes for yourself until you are ready to enquire.

Project conversations are handled by Rachel through her personal site. These links take you there.