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editorial-workflow

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Editorial workflow management

编辑工作流管理

Newsrooms run on systems. This skill provides templates and processes for tracking stories, managing deadlines, and coordinating between reporters and editors.
新闻编辑部的运转依赖完善的体系。本技能提供用于追踪选题、管理截止日期以及协调记者与编辑工作的模板和流程。

When to use

适用场景

  • Setting up story tracking systems
  • Creating editorial calendars
  • Establishing assignment and handoff protocols
  • Managing multiple stories and deadlines
  • Training new editors on workflow
  • 搭建选题追踪系统
  • 创建编辑日历
  • 制定选题分配与交接规范
  • 管理多个选题及截止日期
  • 为新编辑提供工作流培训

Story status taxonomy

选题状态分类

Standard statuses

标准状态

StatusMeaningOwner
PitchIdea submitted, awaiting approvalReporter
AssignedApproved, reporter workingReporter
ReportingActive reporting in progressReporter
DraftFirst draft submittedEditor
EditEditor making changesEditor
RevisionBack with reporter for changesReporter
CopyCopy editing stageCopy editor
FinalReady for publicationEditor
ScheduledQueued for specific dateSystem
PublishedLiveComplete
HoldPaused, not abandonedEditor
KillStory abandonedEditor
状态含义负责人
选题提案已提交选题想法，待审批记者
已分配选题已获批，记者正在执行记者
采访调研中正在进行实地采访调研记者
初稿提交已提交第一版初稿编辑
编辑中编辑正在修改内容编辑
修订中初稿已返回记者进行修改记者
文字编辑进入文字编辑阶段文字编辑
终稿完成内容已准备好发布编辑
已排期已安排具体发布日期系统
已发布内容已上线完成
暂缓项目暂停，并未废弃编辑
取消选题已被废弃编辑

Status flow

状态流转

Pitch → Assigned → Reporting → Draft → Edit → Revision (loop) → Copy → Final → Scheduled → Published
                                         ↓
                                       Hold/Kill
Pitch → Assigned → Reporting → Draft → Edit → Revision (loop) → Copy → Final → Scheduled → Published
                                         ↓
                                       Hold/Kill

Story assignment tracking

选题分配追踪

Assignment record template

选题记录模板

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Story: [Slug/working title]

Story: [Slug/working title]

Assignment details

Assignment details

  • Reporter: [name]
  • Assigning editor: [name]
  • Date assigned: [date]
  • Deadline: [date/time]
  • Target publication: [outlet/section]
  • Reporter: [name]
  • Assigning editor: [name]
  • Date assigned: [date]
  • Deadline: [date/time]
  • Target publication: [outlet/section]

Story specs

Story specs

  • Format: [brief, feature, enterprise, etc.]
  • Word count: [target]
  • Multimedia: [photos, video, graphics needed]
  • Sources required: [minimum sources]
  • Format: [brief, feature, enterprise, etc.]
  • Word count: [target]
  • Multimedia: [photos, video, graphics needed]
  • Sources required: [minimum sources]

The assignment

The assignment

[What the story is, angle, key elements to include]
[What the story is, angle, key elements to include]

Key contacts

Key contacts

[Sources to interview, PR contacts, experts]
[Sources to interview, PR contacts, experts]

Background/resources

Background/resources

[Links to previous coverage, documents, data]
[Links to previous coverage, documents, data]

Budget line

Budget line

[One sentence for editorial budget meetings]
[One sentence for editorial budget meetings]

Status history

Status history

DateStatusNotes
[date]Assigned
[date][status][note]
undefined
DateStatusNotes
[date]Assigned
[date][status][note]
undefined

Assignment handoff checklist

选题交接清单

When assigning a story:
markdown
undefined
分配选题时：
markdown
undefined

Assignment handoff

Assignment handoff

From editor to reporter

From editor to reporter

  • Story scope clearly defined
  • Deadline confirmed
  • Word count/format specified
  • Key sources identified
  • Background materials shared
  • Multimedia needs discussed
  • Questions answered
  • Story scope clearly defined
  • Deadline confirmed
  • Word count/format specified
  • Key sources identified
  • Background materials shared
  • Multimedia needs discussed
  • Questions answered

Reporter confirms

Reporter confirms

  • Deadline is realistic
  • Have access to necessary sources
  • Understand the angle
  • Know who to ask for help
undefined
  • Deadline is realistic
  • Have access to necessary sources
  • Understand the angle
  • Know who to ask for help
undefined

Editorial calendar

编辑日历

Calendar template

日历模板

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Editorial calendar: [Week/Month of Date]

Editorial calendar: [Week/Month of Date]

Monday [date]

Monday [date]

TimeStoryReporterStatusNotes
AM[story][name][status]
PM[story][name][status]
TimeStoryReporterStatusNotes
AM[story][name][status]
PM[story][name][status]

Tuesday [date]

Tuesday [date]

[same format]
[same format]

Evergreen queue

Evergreen queue

StoryReporterReady dateNotes
[story][name][date][can run anytime after this]
StoryReporterReady dateNotes
[story][name][date][can run anytime after this]

Upcoming (next 2 weeks)

Upcoming (next 2 weeks)

StoryReporterTarget dateStatus
[story][name][date][status]
undefined
StoryReporterTarget dateStatus
[story][name][date][status]
undefined

Planning meeting template

选题规划会议模板

For weekly/daily editorial meetings:
markdown
undefined
用于每周/每日编辑会议：
markdown
undefined

Editorial meeting: [date]

Editorial meeting: [date]

Today's lineup

Today's lineup

StoryReporterStatusPublish timeNotes
[story][name][status][time]
StoryReporterStatusPublish timeNotes
[story][name][status][time]

Tomorrow's lineup

Tomorrow's lineup

[same format]
[same format]

In progress (due this week)

In progress (due this week)

StoryReporterDueStatusBlockers
[story][name][date][status][any issues]
StoryReporterDueStatusBlockers
[story][name][date][status][any issues]

Pipeline (next 2+ weeks)

Pipeline (next 2+ weeks)

StoryReporterTargetStatus
[story][name][date][status]
StoryReporterTargetStatus
[story][name][date][status]

Discussion items

Discussion items

  • [Topic 1]
  • [Topic 2]
  • [Topic 1]
  • [Topic 2]

Action items

Action items

  • [Action] - [Owner] - [Deadline]
undefined
  • [Action] - [Owner] - [Deadline]
undefined

Deadline management

截止日期管理

Deadline types

截止日期类型

DeadlinePurposeTypical lead time
ReportingComplete interviews/research2-5 days before draft
First draftSubmit to editor24-48 hours before edit
Final draftAfter revisions12-24 hours before copy
Art/photosVisuals readySame as first draft
Copy editLanguage/style review4-8 hours before publish
PublishGoes liveSet time
截止日期类型用途典型前置时间
采访调研截止完成采访/调研工作初稿截止前2-5天
初稿截止向编辑提交初稿编辑阶段前24-48小时
终稿截止修订完成后的终稿提交文字编辑前12-24小时
配图/照片截止视觉素材准备完成与初稿截止时间相同
文字编辑截止语言/风格审核完成发布前4-8小时
发布截止内容正式上线设定的具体时间

Deadline tracking template

截止日期追踪模板

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Story: [title]

Story: [title]

Final publish deadline: [date/time]
Final publish deadline: [date/time]

Working backward

Working backward

MilestoneDeadlineStatus
Reporting complete[date]☐
First draft due[date]☐
Art/photos due[date]☐
Edit complete[date]☐
Revisions due[date]☐
Copy edit complete[date]☐
Final review[date]☐
Schedule/publish[date]☐
undefined
MilestoneDeadlineStatus
Reporting complete[date]☐
First draft due[date]☐
Art/photos due[date]☐
Edit complete[date]☐
Revisions due[date]☐
Copy edit complete[date]☐
Final review[date]☐
Schedule/publish[date]☐
undefined

Missed deadline protocol

逾期处理流程

When a deadline is at risk:
  1. Notify immediately - Don't wait until the deadline passes
  2. Explain briefly - What's blocking progress
  3. Propose new deadline - Realistic estimate
  4. Offer alternatives - Shorter version? Different angle?
markdown
undefined
当截止日期可能无法按时完成时：
  1. 立即通知 - 不要等到截止日期过了再汇报
  2. 简要说明原因 - 说明阻碍进度的问题
  3. 提议新的截止日期 - 给出合理的预估时间
  4. 提供替代方案 - 缩短内容篇幅？调整选题角度？
markdown
undefined

Deadline alert

Deadline alert

Story: [title] Original deadline: [date/time] Issue: [what's blocking] New proposed deadline: [date/time] Impact: [what this affects] Alternatives: [options if any]
undefined
Story: [title] Original deadline: [date/time] Issue: [what's blocking] New proposed deadline: [date/time] Impact: [what this affects] Alternatives: [options if any]
undefined

Edit handoff protocols

编辑交接规范

Reporter → Editor

记者 → 编辑

When submitting draft:
markdown
undefined
提交初稿时：
markdown
undefined

Draft submission: [story title]

Draft submission: [story title]

Draft location: [link/file] Word count: [count]
Draft location: [link/file] Word count: [count]

What's in the draft

What's in the draft

  • [Key points covered]
  • [Key points covered]

What's still needed

What's still needed

  • [Outstanding item]
  • [Waiting for source callback]
  • [Outstanding item]
  • [Waiting for source callback]

Questions for editor

Questions for editor

  • [Question about structure, angle, etc.]
  • [Question about structure, angle, etc.]

Source notes

Source notes

[Any attribution issues, off-record info, etc.]
[Any attribution issues, off-record info, etc.]

Multimedia status

Multimedia status

  • Photos: [ready/pending/needed]
  • Graphics: [ready/pending/needed]
undefined
  • Photos: [ready/pending/needed]
  • Graphics: [ready/pending/needed]
undefined

Editor → Reporter

编辑 → 记者

When returning for revision:
markdown
undefined
返回修订意见时：
markdown
undefined

Edit notes: [story title]

Edit notes: [story title]

Overall: [brief assessment - on track, needs work, etc.]
Overall: [brief assessment - on track, needs work, etc.]

Structural changes needed

Structural changes needed

  • [Major reorg, missing elements, etc.]
  • [Major reorg, missing elements, etc.]

Specific fixes

Specific fixes

  • Line [X]: [issue/change]
  • Line [X]: [issue/change]
  • Line [X]: [issue/change]
  • Line [X]: [issue/change]

Questions to resolve

Questions to resolve

  • [Question requiring reporter input]
  • [Question requiring reporter input]

Deadline for revisions

Deadline for revisions

[date/time]
[date/time]

Discussion needed?

Discussion needed?

[Yes - let's talk before you revise / No - changes are clear]
undefined
[Yes - let's talk before you revise / No - changes are clear]
undefined

Publication checklist

发布检查清单

Pre-publish checklist

发布前检查清单

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Pre-publish: [story title]

Pre-publish: [story title]

Content

Content

  • Headline is accurate and compelling
  • Dek/subhead summarizes well
  • Lede works
  • All facts verified
  • All sources attributed correctly
  • Quotes are accurate
  • Numbers double-checked
  • Headline is accurate and compelling
  • Dek/subhead summarizes well
  • Lede works
  • All facts verified
  • All sources attributed correctly
  • Quotes are accurate
  • Numbers double-checked

Style

Style

  • AP Style applied
  • Consistent voice throughout
  • No typos or grammatical errors
  • Appropriate length
  • AP Style applied
  • Consistent voice throughout
  • No typos or grammatical errors
  • Appropriate length

Legal/Ethics

Legal/Ethics

  • No defamation risk
  • Sources of comment contacted
  • Corrections from previous versions applied
  • Embargoes respected
  • No defamation risk
  • Sources of comment contacted
  • Corrections from previous versions applied
  • Embargoes respected

Multimedia

Multimedia

  • Photos have captions and credits
  • Alt text added
  • Video/audio plays correctly
  • Graphics are accurate
  • Photos have captions and credits
  • Alt text added
  • Video/audio plays correctly
  • Graphics are accurate

Metadata

Metadata

  • SEO headline filled
  • Meta description written
  • Tags/categories applied
  • Author byline correct
  • Publication date/time set
  • SEO headline filled
  • Meta description written
  • Tags/categories applied
  • Author byline correct
  • Publication date/time set

Final sign-off

Final sign-off

  • Reporter reviewed final
  • Editor approved
  • Copy editor signed off
undefined
  • Reporter reviewed final
  • Editor approved
  • Copy editor signed off
undefined

Post-publish checklist

发布后检查清单

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Post-publish: [story title]

Post-publish: [story title]

Immediate (within 1 hour)

Immediate (within 1 hour)

  • Story displays correctly
  • Links work
  • Images load
  • No obvious errors
  • Social posts scheduled/published
  • Story displays correctly
  • Links work
  • Images load
  • No obvious errors
  • Social posts scheduled/published

Same day

Same day

  • Monitor comments/feedback
  • Watch for corrections needed
  • Track initial metrics
  • Respond to any issues
  • Monitor comments/feedback
  • Watch for corrections needed
  • Track initial metrics
  • Respond to any issues

Follow-up

Follow-up

  • Note any updates needed
  • Document corrections made
  • Capture reader response
  • Plan follow-up stories if warranted
undefined
  • Note any updates needed
  • Document corrections made
  • Capture reader response
  • Plan follow-up stories if warranted
undefined

Workflow documentation

工作流文档

Process documentation template

流程文档模板

For documenting your newsroom's workflows:
markdown
undefined
用于记录新闻编辑部的工作流：
markdown
undefined

Workflow: [Name of process]

Workflow: [Name of process]

Purpose

Purpose

[What this workflow accomplishes]
[What this workflow accomplishes]

When to use

When to use

[Triggers for this workflow]
[Triggers for this workflow]

Roles involved

Roles involved

RoleResponsibility
[Role][What they do]
RoleResponsibility
[Role][What they do]

Process steps

Process steps

Step 1: [Name]
  • Owner: [role]
  • Action: [what happens]
  • Output: [what's produced]
  • Next: [what triggers next step]
Step 2: [Name] [same format]
Step 1: [Name]
  • Owner: [role]
  • Action: [what happens]
  • Output: [what's produced]
  • Next: [what triggers next step]
Step 2: [Name] [same format]

Tools used

Tools used

  • [Tool]: [what it's used for]
  • [Tool]: [what it's used for]

Templates/Forms

Templates/Forms

  • [Link to templates]
  • [Link to templates]

Exceptions

Exceptions

  • [When normal process doesn't apply]
  • [What to do instead]
  • [When normal process doesn't apply]
  • [What to do instead]

Escalation

Escalation

  • [When to escalate]
  • [Who to contact]
undefined
  • [When to escalate]
  • [Who to contact]
undefined

Onboarding new staff

新员工入职培训

markdown
undefined
markdown
undefined

Editorial workflow onboarding

Editorial workflow onboarding

Day 1

Day 1

  • Access to CMS granted
  • Added to editorial chat/channels
  • Received style guide
  • Introduced to direct editor
  • Access to CMS granted
  • Added to editorial chat/channels
  • Received style guide
  • Introduced to direct editor

Week 1

Week 1

  • Shadow experienced reporter
  • Review workflow documentation
  • Complete first assignment (low-stakes)
  • Learn deadline expectations
  • Shadow experienced reporter
  • Review workflow documentation
  • Complete first assignment (low-stakes)
  • Learn deadline expectations

Month 1

Month 1

  • Independently handle standard assignments
  • Know escalation paths
  • Understand publication calendar
  • Comfortable with all tools
  • Independently handle standard assignments
  • Know escalation paths
  • Understand publication calendar
  • Comfortable with all tools

Key contacts

Key contacts

NeedContact
Assignment questions[name]
Technical issues[name]
Editorial disputes[name]
HR/Admin[name]

---

*Good workflows disappear. You only notice them when they break.*
NeedContact
Assignment questions[name]
Technical issues[name]
Editorial disputes[name]
HR/Admin[name]

---

*完善的工作流会融入日常运转，只有出现问题时才会被察觉。*