# Introduction to EGM

Develop an idea with AI, write down the plan, and get an independent review.

## What is EGM?

The Elephant–Goldfish Model is a way to develop an idea with AI and review the written plan independently. The drafting assistant has the background. Fresh reviewers read the document without the conversation that produced it.

You decide which questions matter, check the facts, and approve the changes. A review is a source of feedback, not proof that a plan is correct.

## Choose a starting point

* [Getting started](/getting-started): try the method and choose an application.
* [Drafting and review](/workflow): understand how the participants work together.
* [Skills](/skills): find the command for your next task.

## Bring the work you have

A student can bring a project proposal. An architect can bring a design brief. A project manager can bring a delivery plan. An engineer can bring a software design.

In each case, write down the background, constraints, and decisions a reviewer needs to understand.

The built-in draft and design-review workflow targets software. For other documents, use [Custom review](/skills/egm-review-loop) and choose reviewers and standards that fit the work. Codebase documentation and drift reporting apply to software projects.

## Learn more

Read Dave Rensin’s foundational article, [Elephants, Goldfish, and the New Golden Age of Software Engineering](https://medium.com/@drensin/elephants-goldfish-and-the-new-golden-age-of-software-engineering-c33641a48874), or the [repository FAQ](https://github.com/google/elephant-goldfish-model/blob/main/docs/faq.md).