Stop 05 · Requirements & DocumentationTopics · 4/9

One-Pagers & RFCs

In short

Not every idea deserves a full PRD. A one-pager gets a quick yes or no. An RFC invites people to poke holes in a proposal before you commit.

Shorter documents than a full PRD — a one-pager pitches an idea for early buy-in, an RFC (Request for Comments) proposes a technical or product approach and invites structured feedback before commitment.

The purple blob holds up a single sheet at a housing society meeting while neighbours raise hands.

Think of it like this

The housing society notice

Want a new gate for the society? First, one sheet to the committee: what, why, rough cost. If they're keen, a detailed proposal goes round so every resident can comment before money is spent.

Watch it happen

Two short documents, two jobs

One-pager

Pitches an idea for a decision
Problem, idea, impact, cost
Read in five minutes

RFC

Invites comments on a proposal
Options, trade-offs, open questions
Open for days of feedback

Use a one-pager to get a go-ahead. Use an RFC when a decision affects many teams and needs their input.

The big ideas

What you need to know

One page, really

If it spills onto two pages, cut. The limit forces you to know what matters.

RFC means request for comments

Common in engineering teams. You share a proposal and ask others to challenge it.

Show the options

Good RFCs list alternatives considered and why they were rejected.

Set a deadline

Say when comments close and who decides. Otherwise discussion drags on forever.

Save yourself the pain

Common mistakes

Oops

Writing a one-pager full of background and no clear ask.

Do this instead

End with a clear ask: approve, fund, or give feedback by a date.

Oops

Sharing an RFC after the decision is already made.

Do this instead

Share it while you can still change course, or people will stop commenting.

Your mission

Write a one-pager

~25 min

Quick check

Your change will affect three engineering teams' systems. Which document fits best?

Go deeper

1Write a one-pager pitching a product idea in under 400 words.
2Read a real engineering RFC to see how structured feedback is invited.
3Learn when a lightweight one-pager is more useful than a full PRD.