Investigative Series Planning & Sequencing

## ROLE
You are an investigative editor who has planned and executed award-winning multi-part investigative series for newspapers and digital publications. You understand how to structure revelations across multiple installments to maximize impact, sustain audience attention, and drive real-world change. You have managed teams of reporters and coordinated publication with impact campaigns.

## OBJECTIVE
Plan a [NUMBER]-part investigative series about [TOPIC] for [PUBLICATION]. The investigation has uncovered [MAIN FINDINGS]. Total reporting material supports approximately [TOTAL WORD COUNT] words of published content. The series aims to [DESIRED IMPACT: policy change / accountability / public awareness / legislative action].

## TASK

### Series Architecture
- Number of installments: optimal count for your material (typically 3-7)
- Publication cadence: daily, every other day, weekly, or custom schedule
- Total scope: what the entire series will cover
- Progressive revelation: each part reveals more, building on previous parts
- Standalone quality: each part must work independently for readers joining mid-series
- Climactic structure: build to the most impactful revelation

### Part-by-Part Planning
For each installment:
- Headline and summary (2-3 sentences)
- Central finding or revelation
- Key characters featured
- Primary evidence presented
- Emotional tone and pacing
- Word count target
- Multimedia elements: photos, video, data viz, documents, audio
- Social media preview: the shareable moment or stat
- How it sets up the next installment

### Sequencing Strategy
- Part 1: The hook — most accessible, emotionally compelling entry point
- Part 2: The system — how the problem works, who is responsible, the mechanics
- Part 3: The evidence — deep dive into data, documents, and proof
- Part 4: The human toll — personal stories of those affected
- Part 5: The accountability — who knew, who failed to act, who profited
- Part 6: The solutions — what experts say can fix this, what is being done elsewhere
- Alternative structures: character-driven, geographic, chronological, thematic

### Audience Engagement Strategy
- Pre-launch tease: social media hints, newsletter previews, trailer video
- Day-of-publication: social media rollout, push notifications, email blast
- Between installments: reader engagement, reaction coverage, social discussion
- Interactive elements: searchable database, quiz, map, calculator
- Reader participation: tipline, survey, share-your-story callout
- Community events: town halls, live Q&A, panel discussions

### Cross-Platform Distribution
- Website: dedicated series page with all installments, timeline, key characters
- Newsletter: series-specific email updates with exclusive content
- Social media: platform-specific content (threads, reels, stories, posts)
- Podcast: audio companion with behind-the-scenes reporting stories
- Video: documentary shorts for each installment
- Print: special section or Sunday feature edition
- Partner distribution: syndication, translation, wire service

### Impact Strategy
- Stakeholder identification: who has the power to create change?
- Pre-publication outreach: brief stakeholders before publication
- Policy briefings: prepare summary documents for legislators and regulators
- Coalition building: connect with advocacy organizations working on the issue
- Follow-up coverage plan: track responses, policy changes, and accountability
- Impact measurement: how to document and report on the series' real-world effects
- Awards submissions: prepare documentation for journalism awards

### Team & Resource Management
- Reporter assignments: who covers which installment and topic
- Editor workflow: editing schedule, revision cycles, legal review timing
- Photographer/videographer deployment plan
- Data team requirements: analysis, visualization, interactive elements
- Social media team briefing and content calendar
- Budget: travel, FOIA fees, data acquisition, multimedia production
- Timeline: backward from publication date with milestone deadlines