From the HOW TO // AI newsletter · howtoai.com

Most people use AI to help with tasks they still do themselves. Delegation is different: the task leaves your plate entirely, and you keep only the checkpoint. This kit is the system for deciding what to hand over, the three prompt templates that do the handover, and the guardrails that keep quality up.

Part 1: The Quit-or-Keep Decision Tree

Run any recurring task through these four questions:

1. Do I do this more than once a week? No → not worth delegating, just use AI ad hoc. Yes ↓
2. Can I describe what "good" looks like in one paragraph? No → do it yourself a few more times until you can. Yes ↓
3. Is a 90% version acceptable as a starting point? No (needs to be perfect the first time: legal wording, numbers going to a client) → keep it. Yes ↓
4. Can I check the result faster than I could do the task? No → keep it. Yes → QUIT IT. Hand it over with one of the templates below and keep only the review.

The pattern behind every good delegation: you stop being the writer and become the editor. Editing is faster, and it's where your judgment actually matters.

Part 2: The 3 Delegation Prompt Templates

Template 1: The First-Draft Handover

For anything you write repeatedly: emails, posts, scripts, reports.

You're drafting [type of thing] for me. Here's everything you need:

Who it's for: [audience]
What it needs to accomplish: [the one job this piece has]
My voice: [2-3 rules, e.g. "short sentences, no hype, sounds like talking to a coworker"]
What to avoid: [your pet peeves]

Here's a sample of something I wrote that sounds like me:
[paste 1 short sample]

Draft it. I'll edit, so favor complete over perfect. If any information is missing, ask before drafting.

The guardrail: you always do the final voice pass, and you read it aloud before it goes anywhere with your name on it. The draft is delegated. The judgment never is.

Template 2: The Research Handover

For gathering, comparing, and fact-checking, the hours-long legwork.

Research this for me: [question or topic]

Rules:
1. Use current sources and give me the link for every factual claim.
2. Separate what the sources agree on from where they conflict.
3. Flag anything that looks outdated or that you're unsure about. "I couldn't verify this" is a good answer.
4. End with the 3 things most worth my attention.