Build a First Content Outline

Organise key messages and source materials into a structured content outline ready for draft development.

~10 min with AI, ~30 min without Standard review; the outline is a planning document, not a final deliverable.

Key messages + sources → AI draft outline → Writer refinement → Final outline

Best for

• Starting a new deliverable (slide deck, monograph, manuscript, training material) and establishing structure before writing
• Translating a briefing document or messaging framework into a content plan
• Organising multiple source documents into a coherent narrative
• Preparing an outline for client or internal review before committing to a full draft

Inputs

• Key messages or messaging framework (ideally from the Extract key messages workflow)
• Source materials (papers, data packages, briefing documents)
• Deliverable specifications: format, audience, channel, and length requirements
• Any existing templates or structural requirements for the deliverable type
• Client or internal briefing document (if available)

Steps

1. Clarify deliverable requirements

   Confirm the format, audience, purpose, and any structural constraints before generating an outline. If the deliverable has a mandated template (e.g., CSR, regulatory submission), use that directly instead of this workflow.

2. Gather inputs

   Assemble key messages, source materials, and any approved messaging framework. If you have not yet extracted key messages, complete the Extract Key Messages workflow first.

3. Provide inputs to the AI

   Include the key messages, audience specification, format requirements, and approximate scope. The more context you provide, the more relevant the structure.

4. Generate a draft outline

   Use the prompt pattern below. Consider requesting two structural options (e.g., disease-first vs. product-first) so the team can compare approaches.

5. Review structure and flow

   Assess whether the outline matches the deliverable type and narrative strategy. A slide deck for an advisory board needs a different architecture than a monograph. Read the outline as a narrative sequence and check that the audience can follow it without backtracking.

6. Refine and annotate

   Adjust section order, add or remove sections, and annotate with specific content notes or source references. Match section count to the deliverable scope — a 10-slide deck needs 5–7 content sections, not 15.

7. Share for alignment

   Present the outline to the project team or client for review before proceeding to a full draft.

Output

A structured outline with 5–12 main sections (depending on deliverable type), each with clear headings, a one-sentence content description, mapped key messages, and approximate length guidance. The outline follows a logical narrative progression and includes a defined safety/tolerability section. Any sections with insufficient source evidence are flagged.

Prompt pattern

You are a medical writing assistant. Your task is to create a content outline for the following deliverable.

Deliverable type: [SPECIFY — e.g., HCP slide deck, medical education monograph, publication manuscript, training module]
Target audience: [SPECIFY]
Purpose: [SPECIFY — e.g., communicate Phase III results to oncologists, support payer value discussions]
Approximate length/scope: [SPECIFY]

Key messages to incorporate:
[INSERT KEY MESSAGES]

Structure the outline with:
- Section headings and subheadings
- A one-sentence description of what each section should cover
- Notes on which key messages map to which sections
- Suggested approximate length or number of slides per section (if applicable)

Rules:
- Every section should have a clear purpose. Do not include sections that are structural filler.
- Ensure the outline flows logically — the reader should be able to follow the narrative from section to section.
- Include a section for safety and tolerability unless the deliverable explicitly excludes it.
- Flag any sections where you are uncertain about placement or content.

Customisation: Request multiple structural options (e.g., story-led vs. data-led) when the narrative approach is not yet decided. Add specific structural constraints (“no more than 10 slides”, “must include a competitive context section”) directly in the prompt.

Why this works

AI generates a logical structure and organises multiple key messages into a coherent sequence in minutes, producing a working framework the writer can evaluate and reshape. The human writer then applies the strategic and editorial judgement (narrative approach, audience-appropriate depth, source allocation, and alignment with the broader communications plan) that turns a generic structure into a fit-for-purpose outline.

Common mistakes

Generic textbook structure

AI defaults to “Background - Methods - Results - Conclusions” when the deliverable needs a story-led flow (unmet need - evidence - clinical impact). Assess whether the structure matches the deliverable type and narrative strategy before accepting it.

Missing required sections

The outline omits a safety section or skips a competitive context section that the brief requires. Cross-check every requirement in the project brief against the outline and verify all key messages are allocated to at least one section.

Illogical narrative flow

Evidence sections appear before clinical context is established, or the mechanism section follows efficacy data instead of preceding it. Read the outline as a sequence and ask: would the audience follow this without backtracking?

Over-structured output

AI generates 15 subsections for a 10-slide deck. Match section count to deliverable scope. If it does not translate to the final format, it is not a useful outline.

Unallocated key messages

Key messages from the brief or messaging framework are missing from the outline entirely. Check that every message is mapped to at least one section before signing off.

Tool stack

Tool	Role
Claude / ChatGPT	Generate candidate outline structures from key messages and source materials

Alternatives: Gamma for presentation-specific outlines and slide structuring. Napkin for visual concept mapping during early planning.

Review checklist

Human review checklist

• Every key message from the brief or messaging framework is allocated to at least one section
• No key messages are duplicated across multiple sections without purpose
• The narrative arc makes sense for the target audience (e.g., disease burden → unmet need → evidence → clinical implications for an HCP audience)
• The structure matches the deliverable format (e.g., slide count for a deck, page allocation for a monograph, module structure for a website)
• Safety and tolerability have a defined section — not appended as an afterthought
• No sections exist purely as structural filler (e.g., a “Background” section with no defined content scope)
• The outline is consistent with the project brief, brand guidelines, and any communications strategy
• Section lengths are realistic: a 3-slide section in a 10-slide deck should not contain 5 key messages
• Source materials are sufficient to populate each section; flag any section where evidence gaps exist

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Next steps: From your outline, proceed to Write a Manuscript, Draft a Regulatory Document, Create a Medical Slide Deck, or Adapt for Different Audiences. Run the completed deliverable through Final Human Review.

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Last reviewed: 15 April 2026