Writing better requirments

Ever tried following someone’s instructions and ended up thinking, "Am I the problem, or is this just nonsense?" 🤔

This peanut butter and jelly sandwich video perfectly captures what happens when unclear instructions go horribly wrong.

For years, I’ve sent it to clients as an example and a bit of light-hearted guidance when we start creating documentation.

It’s a perfect reminder that:
• Just because you know what you mean,
• Doesn’t mean anyone else does.

The result? Peanut butter on the outside of the bread, absolute chaos, and kids literally crying😭.

And now, as everything becomes more scalable and we work faster, bad communication—especially poor documentation—can lead to massive problems. Fixing those issues often takes longer than building the original solution.

We’ve all seen it before: first-time founders struggling to explain their vision, or teams misaligned on their first website launch (which requires iterations for twice the original cost).

Now, with AI in the mix, communication is everything. Information is accessible like never before, but you need to be coherent and clear to unlock its potential.

So, how do you avoid making messy sandwiches and messy projects?

1️⃣ Communicate about your work 📝
The key to greatness is practice. Create documentation structures that are consistent and easy to follow, making it simpler to build and maintain content.
Seek feedback often and update regularly—it’s all about the person (or system) receiving the input. Your goal is to ensure your communication fits their needs perfectly, whether it’s a colleague, client, or AI model.

2️⃣ Gamify it 🎮
Platforms like PromptGuessr make learning fun and sharpen your prompt-writing chops. Who said AI couldn’t be a game?

3️⃣ Read more books 📚
It sounds obvious, but great communication starts with a sharper mind. (I even started a book club—it’s also a great excuse for great wine.)

4️⃣Let AI be your coach 🤖
Stuck on a prompt? Ask ChatGPT to help you write it. Seriously, it’s like having a writing assistant and a project manager rolled into one.

Or just get the guidance from X18 for usage of GenAI.

The takeaway? Whether it’s for your team, your AI, or anyone else, clear communication keeps the wheels turning—especially in a world where speed and scalability matter more than ever.

Enjoy the laugh, and take a moment to rethink how you explain things. Your team (and the robots) will thank you.

Video credit: Josh Darnit (Exact Instructions Challenge)