amazon-working-backwards
Guide the Amazon Working Backwards process from the 5 Questions through to a full PR-FAQ document. Use when the user wants to (1) draft answers to the Amazon 5 Questions for a proposal or idea, (2) refine or critique existing 5Q answers, (3) verify and challenge 5Q answers with probing questions, (4
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Amazon Working Backwards
The Working Backwards process moves from idea to PR FAQ in two phases: first answer the 5 Questions to force clarity of thinking, then write a PR FAQ document that brings the idea to life for readers.
Workflow
Determine the entry point based on what the user provides:
Starting from a rough idea or proposal? → Follow the "5 Questions Phase" below
Have 5Q answers to refine/verify? → Read [references/five questions guide.md](references/five questions guide.md) and apply the verification checklist
Ready to write a PR FAQ? → Follow the "PR FAQ Phase" below
Have a PR FAQ to review? → Read [references/prfaq template.md](references/prfaq template.md) and evaluate against the writing standards and common rejection reasons
Want to clarify a specific element? → Read the relevant reference file for that phase
Output Convention
Always write to a file from the start. Do not draft in chat.
5Q answers : Write to YYYY MM DD [Product Name] 5Q.md
PR FAQ : Write to YYYY MM DD [Product Name] PR FAQ.md
Iterations : Edit the file in place; summarize changes in chat
Word format : If the user requests .docx, use the docx skill to produce a formatted document
When asking clarifying questions or presenting feedback, respond in chat. All substantive content (5Q answers, PR FAQ drafts) goes to file.
5 Questions Phase
The 5 Questions force clarity before any document writing begins:
1. Who is the customer?
2. What is the customer problem or opportunity?
3. What is the most important customer benefit?
4. How do we know what the customer needs or wants?
5. What does the customer experience look like?
Drafting 5Q Answers
1. Read [references/five questions guide.md](references/five questions guide.md) for the quality bar and pitfalls for each question
2. Read [references/examples.md](references/examples.md) to see a worked example from idea through 5Q to PR FAQ
3. Ask clarifying questions if the user's idea is too vague to answer any question well — ask one question at a time
4. Draft all 5 answers, following the "What a strong answer looks like" guidance for each
5. Write answers to the 5Q file; summarize in chat and ask for feedback; iterate by editing the file
Verifying 5Q Answers
When reviewing or verifying answers (user's own or previously drafted):
1. Read [references/five questions guide.md](references/five questions guide.md)
2. Apply the verification checklist (coherence, specificity, customer obsession, intellectual honesty)
3. Use the probing questions from the guide to challenge weak areas
4. Present specific, actionable feedback — not generic praise
PR FAQ Phase
Once 5Q answers are solid, generate the PR FAQ document.
1. Read [references/prfaq template.md](references/prfaq template.md) for the exact structure and quality bar
2. Read [references/examples.md](references/examples.md) if not already loaded
3. Write the Press Release section, mapping: Q2 → problem paragraph, Q3 → solution paragraph, Q5 → experience paragraph, Q1 → customer quote persona
4. Write External FAQ (5 10 customer questions)
5. Write Internal FAQ (5 10 stakeholder questions)
6. Write to the PR FAQ file; summarize in chat and ask for feedback; iterate by editing the file
Reviewing an Existing PR FAQ
1. Read [references/prfaq template.md](references/prfaq template.md), paying attention to the "Common Rejection Reasons" section
2. Evaluate each section of the PR FAQ against the writing standards
3. Check that the PR FAQ is internally consistent (problem → benefit → experience alignment)
4. Provide specific, section by section feedback with concrete suggestions for improvement