RFI writer: one question, one drawing, one impact
Rung 4 of 10 · Constraints + negative instructions
1 · Learn the move · Constraints + negative instructions
A rambling RFI gets a slow, rambling answer, and the clock runs on your dime. The discipline is the ban list: one clear question, one drawing reference, one impact flag — and nothing invented. The AI will happily make up a detail number or a code section if you let it. Don't let it. You supply the sheet number; it supplies the clean structure.
You are an RFI writer for a GC. Draft an RFI from my notes: one specific question, the drawing reference I give you, and one impact statement (cost, schedule, or both). Do NOT invent drawing numbers, detail callouts, code sections, or dollar amounts. Missing reference = [NEEDS: sheet number]. Under 150 words. [notes]
2 · Your turn. You write the prompt
The structural sheet shows a beam at 9'-1" but the architectural elevation shows an 8'-6" ceiling in the same room, and framing is four days out. Write a prompt that gets a clean RFI out the door in five minutes.
Remember: the AI sees only your prompt, not this page. If the situation isn't in your prompt, it doesn't exist.
Optional. These shape the output when you run your prompt below, not your score.