# Pre-Flight Checklist > **Purpose**: Final quality assurance before delivery. Use this checklist **before** running the full RUBRIC.md scoring. This ensures all required elements are present and obvious issues are caught early. --- ## How to Use This Checklist 1. **When**: Run this checklist after completing WORKFLOW Stage 7 (before final scoring) 2. **Method**: Go through each section; check ✓ or note issues 3. **Threshold**: All items in sections 1-5 must be ✓ before delivery; section 6-7 are optional enhancements 4. **Time**: ~5-10 minutes for a 12-15 slide deck --- ## Section 1: Content Completeness ### Slide Count & Structure - [ ] **Total slide count** matches target range (typically 12-15 slides for 15-20 min presentation) - [ ] **Cover slide** present with title, subtitle, date, presenter - [ ] **Table of Contents** present and matches actual sections - [ ] **Main content slides** (evidence/argument slides) present - [ ] **Conclusion slide** present with clear call-to-action (CTA) - [ ] **Backup slides** (if needed) clearly marked "Backup—not presented" **If any unchecked**: Add missing slides or adjust scope. --- ### Intake & Assumptions - [ ] **INTAKE.md questions** answered or defaulted (all 10 items) - [ ] **Assumptions documented** in `/output/notes.md` (if defaults were used) - [ ] **User's original request** recorded in archive.txt or notes **If any unchecked**: Review INTAKE.md and document assumptions. --- ## Section 2: Story & Structure ### Pyramid Principle - [ ] **Main conclusion** stated on cover slide (assertion sentence) - [ ] **3-5 first-level reasons** identified and each has a section - [ ] **Evidence slides** support each reason (2-3 slides per reason) - [ ] **Logical flow**: Conclusion → Reasons → Evidence (not evidence → conclusion) **If any unchecked**: Revise structure per WORKFLOW Stage 2. --- ### Slide Headings (Assertion-Evidence) - [ ] **All slide headings are assertion sentences** (testable claims, not topic labels) - ✅ Example: "Finer grind size extracts flavors faster" - ❌ Counter-example: "Grind Size" or "Background" - [ ] **Headings are complete sentences** (subject + verb + object) - [ ] **Headings match the evidence** shown on the slide **Quick Test**: Can you agree or disagree with each heading? (If no → it's a topic label, needs revision) **If any unchecked**: Convert topic labels to assertion sentences (see TEMPLATES.md). --- ## Section 3: Evidence & Data ### Evidence for Claims - [ ] **Every assertion slide** has supporting evidence (chart, table, example, case study, or diagram) - [ ] **No unsupported claims** (all "X is true" statements backed by data/citations) - [ ] **Placeholder charts** (if data unavailable) include: - Chart type (e.g., "line chart", "bar chart") - Axes and variables (e.g., "X: month, Y: revenue") - Required data fields (e.g., "Need: month, revenue_usd") **If any unchecked**: Add evidence or create detailed placeholders. --- ### Charts & Visualizations - [ ] **Chart type matches message** (verified against VIS-GUIDE.md Chart Selection Dictionary) - Trend over time → line/area chart - Comparison → horizontal bar chart - Composition → stacked bar / treemap - Correlation → scatter plot - [ ] **All charts have axis labels** (X-axis and Y-axis labeled with units) - [ ] **All charts have data sources** cited in footer (e.g., "Source: XYZ, 2024") - [ ] **All charts have alt text** for screen readers (brief description of insight) - [ ] **Chart colors are colorblind-friendly** (avoid red+green; use blue+orange) **If any unchecked**: Fix chart selection, labeling, or add missing elements. --- ## Section 4: Visual Design & Accessibility ### Typography - [ ] **Heading font size** ≥ 34pt - [ ] **Body font size** ≥ 18pt - [ ] **Footer font size** ≥ 14pt (but not smaller) - [ ] **Line spacing**: Headings 1.1×, body 1.3-1.5× - [ ] **Fonts consistent** across all slides (same family for headings, same for body) **If any unchecked**: Adjust font sizes per STYLE-GUIDE.md. --- ### Color & Contrast - [ ] **Text contrast** ≥ 4.5:1 against background (normal text <18pt) - [ ] **Large text contrast** ≥ 3:1 (headings ≥18pt or ≥14pt bold) - [ ] **UI elements contrast** ≥ 3:1 (chart bars, icons, dividers) - [ ] **Not relying on color alone** (patterns/labels added for charts with multiple series) **How to check**: Use WebAIM Contrast Checker or browser DevTools. **If any unchecked**: Adjust colors to meet WCAG AA standards (see STYLE-GUIDE.md). --- ### Layout & Spacing - [ ] **Safe margins** ≥ 48px on all sides (content within safe zone) - [ ] **Bullet points** limited to 3-5 per slide (not 8-10) - [ ] **Word count** ≤ 70 words per slide (excluding chart labels and footer) - [ ] **White space** ~40-50% of each slide (not crammed full) - [ ] **Consistent alignment**: Headings and body text left-aligned (unless intentionally centered) **If any unchecked**: Increase margins, reduce text, or split into multiple slides. --- ### Images & Alt Text - [ ] **All images have alt text** (descriptive, 1-2 sentences) - [ ] **All charts have alt text** (includes key insight, e.g., "Line chart showing 35% revenue growth Jan-Dec 2024") - [ ] **Images not stretched or distorted** (maintain aspect ratio) **If any unchecked**: Add alt text or fix image formatting. --- ## Section 5: Speaker Notes & Timing ### Speaker Notes Quality - [ ] **Every slide has speaker notes** (except backup slides) - [ ] **Notes are 45-60 seconds per slide** (read aloud to verify) - [ ] **Notes use natural spoken language** (not bullet points or written prose) - [ ] **Notes follow structure**: Opening → Core Assertion → Evidence Explanation → Transition - [ ] **Notes include transitions** to next slide (e.g., "This leads us to...") **If any unchecked**: Revise notes per WORKFLOW Stage 6. --- ### Total Timing - [ ] **Total presentation time** matches target (e.g., 15 min = ~15 slides × 60 sec) - [ ] **Timing buffer** included (5-10% slack for questions/pauses) **Quick Calc**: Count slides (excluding cover, TOC, backup) × 60 sec = estimated time. **If any unchecked**: Adjust slide count or speaker notes length. --- ## Section 6: Deliverables (Output Files) ### Required Files - [ ] `/output/slides.md` exists and is properly formatted (Markdown with YAML frontmatter) - [ ] `/output/notes.md` exists with full speaker script - [ ] `/output/refs.md` exists with all citations and sources - [ ] `/output/assets/` directory exists (even if empty) - [ ] `/output/README.md` exists explaining file structure **If any unchecked**: Generate missing files per WORKFLOW Stage 8. --- ### Optional Files (If Applicable) - [ ] `/output/assets/*.png` charts generated (if data was provided and chartkit.py was used) - [ ] `/output/presentation.pptx` exported (if python-pptx is available) - If not available: Instructions for PPTX conversion included in notes.md **If any unchecked**: Generate charts or add conversion instructions. --- ## Section 7: Polish & Enhancements (Optional but Recommended) ### Consistency Checks - [ ] **Number formatting consistent**: Same decimal places for same metric (e.g., all percentages to 1 decimal) - [ ] **Units consistent**: All currency in $ or all in €; don't mix - [ ] **Date format consistent**: All "Jan 2024" or all "2024-01" (pick one) - [ ] **Capitalization consistent**: Heading case for all slide titles --- ### Branding (If Applicable) - [ ] **Brand colors applied** (if provided in INTAKE question 9) - [ ] **Logo added** to cover slide and/or footer (if applicable) - [ ] **Brand fonts used** (if specified) **If unchecked and brand was specified**: Apply per STYLE-GUIDE customization section. --- ### Reuse Guide - [ ] **"5-Step Reuse Guide" appended** to notes.md (helps user customize later) - [ ] **chartkit.py usage examples** included (if charts were generated) - [ ] **Markdown-to-PPTX conversion instructions** included (if PPTX not auto-generated) **If any unchecked**: Add per WORKFLOW Stage 9. --- ## Section 8: Final Sanity Checks ### Links & References - [ ] **All internal links work** (e.g., references to "See backup slide 14") - [ ] **All chart/image paths correct** (no broken image links in slides.md) - [ ] **All citations complete** (author, year, source name) --- ### Spelling & Grammar - [ ] **Spell-check run** on all text (slides + notes) - [ ] **Grammar checked** (especially speaker notes, which are full sentences) - [ ] **Consistent terminology** (e.g., don't switch between "users" and "customers") **Tool suggestions**: Grammarly, LanguageTool, or built-in spell-checker. --- ### Edge Cases - [ ] **Long words or URLs** broken or shortened (avoid overflow) - [ ] **Special characters** (©, ®, ™, °, etc.) display correctly - [ ] **Non-English text** (if any) uses correct fonts and displays properly --- ## Checklist Summary **Count your checks**: - **Section 1 (Content)**: ___ / 9 items ✓ - **Section 2 (Structure)**: ___ / 8 items ✓ - **Section 3 (Evidence)**: ___ / 9 items ✓ - **Section 4 (Design)**: ___ / 18 items ✓ - **Section 5 (Notes)**: ___ / 7 items ✓ - **Section 6 (Deliverables)**: ___ / 7 items ✓ - **Section 7 (Polish)**: ___ / 7 items ✓ (optional) - **Section 8 (Sanity)**: ___ / 6 items ✓ **TOTAL**: ___ / 64 core items (sections 1-6) **PASSING CRITERIA**: - **Sections 1-6**: All items ✓ (64/64 required) - **Section 7-8**: Nice-to-have but not required for delivery --- ## What to Do If Items Are Unchecked ### Minor Issues (1-5 unchecked in sections 1-6) **Action**: Fix the specific items now before moving to RUBRIC scoring. **Example**: - Missing alt text on 2 charts → Add alt text - One topic-label heading → Convert to assertion sentence - Font size 16pt on one slide → Increase to 18pt --- ### Moderate Issues (6-15 unchecked in sections 1-6) **Action**: Prioritize the most impactful fixes first: 1. **Structure issues** (Section 2): Fix pyramid structure, convert headings 2. **Evidence gaps** (Section 3): Add missing charts or citations 3. **Accessibility** (Section 4): Fix contrast, font sizes 4. **Speaker notes** (Section 5): Revise timing or add transitions **Estimated Time**: 15-30 minutes of fixes before re-running checklist. --- ### Major Issues (16+ unchecked in sections 1-6) **Action**: Return to WORKFLOW Stage 3-4 and rebuild: - If structure is broken (Section 2): Restart from Stage 3 (Outline) - If evidence is weak (Section 3): Restart from Stage 4 (Evidence & Charts) - If design is poor (Section 4): Apply STYLE-GUIDE systematically **Estimated Time**: 1-2 hours of rework. --- ## After Checklist: Next Steps Once all core items (Sections 1-6) are ✓: 1. **Proceed to RUBRIC.md** for detailed scoring (0-10 per item, total 100) 2. **If RUBRIC score ≥ 75**: Package deliverables and deliver 3. **If RUBRIC score < 75**: Apply top 3 improvements and re-score (max 2 iterations) --- ## Quick Reference: Most Common Issues Based on typical PPT creation, here are the **top 10 most common checklist failures**: 1. ❌ **Slide headings are topic labels** (not assertion sentences) → Fix: Convert to testable claims 2. ❌ **Missing source citations on charts** → Fix: Add "Source: XYZ, 2024" in footer 3. ❌ **Font sizes too small** (body <18pt) → Fix: Increase to 18-22pt 4. ❌ **No alt text on charts** → Fix: Add brief description with key insight 5. ❌ **Poor contrast** (<4.5:1) → Fix: Darken text or lighten background 6. ❌ **Too many bullets** (>5 per slide) → Fix: Split into 2 slides or reduce 7. ❌ **No speaker notes** on some slides → Fix: Write 45-60 sec script per slide 8. ❌ **Assumptions not documented** (if defaults used) → Fix: Add to notes.md 9. ❌ **Chart type mismatch** (e.g., pie chart for 7 categories) → Fix: Use bar chart instead 10. ❌ **Inconsistent number formatting** (mixing "1.2M" and "850,000") → Fix: Use same abbreviation style --- ## Checklist Completion Log **Presentation**: [Title] **Date**: [YYYY-MM-DD] **Checked by**: Claude **Status**: [PASS / FAIL] **Issues Found**: [Number] **Issues Fixed**: [Number] **Remaining**: [Number] **Notes**: - [List any issues not yet fixed] - [Next steps or blockers] --- **Next Steps**: After all checklist items are ✓, proceed to RUBRIC.md for full scoring.