A refresh is more effective when the editor knows why the page is changing. A short brief protects useful content from unnecessary rewrites and gives the reviewer a measurable definition of done.
The five fields
Record the reader and task, the current page's strongest section, the evidence for change, the planned additions, and the success check. Include the current URL and proposed URL even when the slug will remain unchanged.
Separate facts from improvements
Facts include outdated dates, broken links, missing steps, and changes in the product or workflow. Improvements include clearer examples, better grouping, and stronger internal navigation. Keeping them separate makes approval faster.
Plan the handoff
List the owner, reviewer, due date, and open questions. Add links to relevant sources and neighboring pages. The article brief handoff guide can help when a strategist and writer are different people.
Close the loop
After publishing, compare the finished page with the brief. Record which planned changes shipped and which were deferred. Then add a follow-up date for checking search impressions, clicks, and reader behavior. A refresh becomes a useful operating loop when the next decision is visible.
