earlydraft

Earlydraft is a term used to describe the initial, often rough version of a document, software artifact, or design that precedes the final draft. It emphasizes exploring ideas, structure, and core features rather than finishing touches, with the intention of gathering feedback to guide subsequent revisions.

In writing and publishing, an earlydraft may outline the thesis, sections, and key arguments, usually leaving placeholders for data or citations and allowing collaborators to comment and suggest changes. In software development or product design, an earlydraft can be wireframes, mockups, or early code branches that demonstrate concepts without full functionality.

Workflow considerations include version control, changelogs, and collaborative review. Earlydrafts are typically circulated among stakeholders, editors, or team members to elicit input, which informs revisions toward a more complete draft or an MVP.

Origins of the concept predate digital tools, but modern platforms such as version control systems, collaborative editors, and issue trackers have made earlydraft workflows more explicit and trackable. The term is used across disciplines to separate exploratory work from polished output, helping teams manage feedback cycles and incremental improvement.

See also: draft, version control, editing, workflow.