Builder track: page 5 of 8

Hand-Offs and Structured Output

A hand-off is the work one step passes to the next. When its shape is fixed, the same columns in the same order, the next step knows what it is getting and a check can read it. Structured output is a hand-off whose shape you chose on purpose.

Step 1FixedcolumnsGaps aremarkedShapecheckStep 2 reads itthe same way
Said in the prompt
The prompt for step 1 says exactly what to hand back: these columns, in this order, and nothing else.

Four Choices That Fix the Shape

  1. 1Pick the form for whoever reads it nextA table suits work the next step sorts, counts or looks up. A list suits one fact per line. A paragraph suits only a person reading at the end.
  2. 2Name the columns, in order, and nothing elsePut them in the prompt: “| # | Action | Owner | Due date | Source line |”, then “return this table and nothing else”. A named column is a rule a check can test.
  3. 3Carry the source with every rowA column holding the words each item came from lets a check look each one up, and lets you see where it came from.
  4. 4Say what an empty cell meansTell the step to write NOT STATED when the material gives no answer. A blank can mean a gap or a slip; the words cannot. The meeting notes template does this for owners and dates.

Which Fix Does the Hand-Off Need?

Each hand-off has one weakness. Pick the fix that mends it.

  1. 1

    Step 1 returns a few paragraphs about the actions. Step 2 needs an owner for each one.

  2. 2

    Step 1 returns a table of figures. The check cannot tell whether each figure is in the report.

  3. 3

    Step 1 returns a table of owners with three cells empty. Step 2 cannot tell whether that is on purpose.

  4. 4

    Step 1 returns the table, with a friendly opening sentence and an offer of more help. The rule that reads the table keeps tripping on the extra lines.

0 of 4 answered.

The Same Hand-Off, Three Shapes

Step 1 finds the actions in meeting notes. Step 2 writes a reminder for each owner.

For eachA paragraphA plain listA table with set columns
The next step canA paragraph: Read it, but must hunt for each owner and date.A plain list: Find each action, but not its owner or date.A table with set columns: Take each owner and date from its column.
A check canA paragraph: Only ask whether it reads well.A plain list: Count the lines.A table with set columns: Test that every row has an owner and a date, or says NOT STATED.
A gap shows asA paragraph: Nothing. The sentence just leaves it out.A plain list: A shorter list.A table with set columns: An empty cell, or the words NOT STATED.
Use it whenA paragraph: A person reads it at the end.A plain list: One fact per line is all the next step needs.A table with set columns: The next step sorts, counts or looks things up.

Go Deeper

Lesson 5: Hand-offsPick the hand-off that works in four real cases.Hand-offs, the parts guideWhat step 1 hands to step 2 in a real template, word for word.Pull key facts into a tableRows in one fixed shape, each with the words its value came from.