Background Information
Background information provides the deeper context that shapes understanding. It's the "why" behind your current situation.
Background vs Context
Context: What's happening now Background: How you got here
The background explains the situation's history; the context explains the current decision point.
Types of Background Information
Historical Background
What happened before?
Technical Background
What exists already?
Organizational Background
Who are the stakeholders?
Market Background
What's the competitive landscape?
Exercise: Provide Relevant Background
Layering Background Information
For complex situations, layer your background:
When Background Changes Everything
Background That Matters
Include background that:
- Explains constraints on possible solutions
- Reveals past attempts and their outcomes
- Shows stakeholder dynamics
- Clarifies resource availability
- Contextualizes the urgency
Exercise: Complete Background Profile
Background Length Guidelines
Short tasks: 1-2 sentences of key context Medium tasks: 1 paragraph of relevant history Complex decisions: Multiple paragraphs covering different aspects
Red Flags: Too Much Background
Signs you've included too much:
- Information from 5+ years ago with no current relevance
- Details about unrelated projects or teams
- Personal anecdotes that don't affect the decision
- Every competitor's full history
Practice: Background Filtering
Relevant: #2, #4, #5, #7, #8 Irrelevant: #1, #3, #6 (unless technical constraints matter)
Good background tells a story that makes your question answerable.