Plan First | Artizan Software

See the Difference

Same complex request. One jumps straight in. The other maps out the work first.

Straight to execution

You: "Help me migrate my blog from WordPress to a static site."

AI: First, let's export your WordPress content. Go to Tools > Export and download the XML file...

[Continues with detailed instructions, mixing setup, content migration, and deployment steps without clear structure]

Already doing things. But what's the full picture?

Plan first

You: "Help me migrate my blog from WordPress to a static site. First, outline a plan with clear steps, then we'll work through each one."

AI: Here's the migration plan:

1. Export WordPress content (posts, pages, images)
2. Choose and set up static site generator
3. Convert content to markdown format
4. Set up hosting (Netlify, Vercel, etc.)
5. Configure domain and redirects
6. Test and verify all links work

Ready to start with step 1?

Now you see the full scope before committing.

Why This Works

When AI jumps straight into execution, it can miss steps, go down the wrong path, or solve a problem you didn't actually have. By the time you realize something's off, you've already invested time following instructions that won't lead where you need to go.

Asking for a plan first creates a checkpoint. You see the full scope of work before anything happens. You can catch misunderstandings, add missing steps, or redirect the approach — all before any real work begins.

How to Ask for a Plan

"Before we start, outline the steps we'll need to take."
"Create a plan first. Then we'll work through it together."
"What's the full list of tasks? Let me review before we begin."
"Break this into numbered steps. I want to see the whole process."
"Give me a roadmap, then we'll tackle each item one at a time."

The Technique

For complex tasks, ask AI to show you the plan before executing anything. Review it, adjust it, then work through each step together.

When This Helps

• Multi-step projects (migrations, setups, implementations)
• Tasks where order matters and mistakes are costly
• When you want to understand scope before committing
• Complex problems with multiple possible approaches
• When you need to coordinate with others or get approval

When to Skip This

— Simple questions with straightforward answers
— Quick tasks that don't need structure
— When you already know the steps and just need execution
— Creative work where you want spontaneous output

After the Plan

Once you have a plan you're happy with, work through it step by step. This pairs well with One Thing at a Time — focus on each step fully before moving to the next.

As you go, the plan might change. That's fine. The point isn't rigid adherence — it's having a map so you know where you are and where you're heading.