How-to

Make a project folder that is easy to hand off

Name drafts consistently, keep final files together, and leave a short index.

Separate current work from references

Create a place for work in progress, a place for source material, and a folder for final deliverables. Keep the folder names understandable to someone who was not involved in the project. Add a separate archive if drafts need to be retained.

Choose a simple naming convention

Include the subject and a revision marker in working file names. If dates matter, use the same year-month-day pattern throughout. Use short names that still make sense when a file is downloaded outside the folder.

Write a short index

List the current deliverable, the files needed to edit it, and any instructions for opening or exporting the project. Mention which version is current and when it was last updated. A plain-text index is enough for many small projects.

Test from a fresh copy

Open a copy of the final folder and follow the index yourself. Check that required files open and that links to related materials still work. Remove temporary files from the final folder after confirming they are not required.