Create **scrappy outlines** or **sketches** of your project. Before you invest time into writing an elegant argument or building a sophisticated website, **figure out exactly what you're trying to do first**. 

You want to validate your assumptions and determine the overall outline of your work when it's easy to make changes. This is your opportunity to figure out what you're writing about, who it's for, and why you think they should engage with it! Only research things that are essential for helping you design your outline. Avoid the urge to go down irrelevant rabbit holes. 

If you're creating an interactive product, draw something on a piece of paper and try out different ideas. Work in a medium where you can test different ideas quickly and cheaply.

**Regardless of your project, you should probably try to narrow the scope**. The most common mistake previous participants have made is that their project gets too big, or is not specific enough. Consider: what is the most important thing you're trying to achieve? Cut out everything else that isn't advancing that single most important thing!


Resources: First sketch of your idea

Exercises: First sketch of your idea

**Work in the 'Session 10' tab of your project doc**

**If you're writing a blog post**, write a few different **outlines** with this format:
- **Title**: Concise description of your post, who it's for, and why they should engage with it. This is your mini sales pitch to your target reader to click on your post!
- **3-5 headings: 5-10 words each. Each heading should represent one core section of your post. In combination, the headings should represent the entirety of your argument or story. **
- **Conclusion: 1-sentence takeaway for the reader**

**If you're building something**, make a scrappy sketch or prototype that you can iterate on very quickly!



Build a first sketch of your idea

Pandemics

First sketch of your idea

How do we make pandemics a thing of the past?

Building a Pandemic-Proof World

How could new technologies both increase and reduce the risk of pandemics?

Pandemic Risk Over the Coming Decades

What does it take to prevent the first human infection?

Preventing Patient Zero

How do we stop a local outbreak from becoming a global disaster?

Detecting and Containing Early Infections

How can governments minimise harms when a pandemic spreads worldwide?

Governmental Response to a Global Pandemic

How could new innovations help us prepare for and prevent future pandemics?

Technologies to Strengthen Future Pandemic Response

Make high-stakes decisions in a simulated pandemic scenario.

Pandemics

Resources: First sketch of your idea

Resources (20 mins)