This is a test of Dark Factory, an AI-operated dark factory. Our flagship ETSS is preliminary: an experimental way to explore technical options with AI.

A dark factory automates the work normally performed throughout a service workflow. Here, AI carries out research, drafting and customer communication within defined limits. You are communicating with AI, not a person leading your engagement. Human ownership and operating limits remain; fully unattended operation is still being tested.

ETSS outputs are interim and unauthenticated. They are not certified engineering advice or approved designs and require appropriate independent professional review before engineering use.

# Frame your technology-selection question

A free planning worksheet from Dark Factory.

Dark Factory is operated by Singularity Engineering Canada Ltd. 25 Sunset Cove SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2X 3E8.

Use this worksheet to turn an early idea into a clear study question. It is a planning aid, not a completed ETSS study, technology recommendation, or professionally reviewed engineering deliverable.

## 1. Describe the decision

We need to compare ______ with ______ to decide ______.

Who will use the result? ______

What decision is outside this study? ______

## 2. Separate requirements from preferences

List conditions an option must meet before it can be considered. Mark each as confirmed or needing verification. Then list preferences that distinguish acceptable options.

Must meet: ______ | Why: ______ | Evidence needed: ______

Prefer: ______ | Why it matters: ______

Do not use a preference score to hide a failed requirement or missing evidence.

## 3. Build a small evidence table

For each important claim, record the option, claim, source and exact location, and what remains uncertain. Label estimates and assumptions explicitly.

Option: ______
Claim or value: ______
Source, date and page/section: ______
Assumption or uncertainty: ______
How another person could verify it: ______

Download the blank evidence table (CSV): https://darkfactorymaker.com/technology-selection-evidence-table.csv . Guidance and disclosure are in rows 1–6 and headings on row 8. Add one claim per row below them. CSV is plain text; adjust column widths and wrapping in your spreadsheet app. No signup is required.

## 4. Identify the next useful check

What missing fact could change the decision? ______

How could you obtain or test it? ______

Who needs to review the eventual result before it is used? ______

## 5. Give us two minutes of feedback

The worksheet is free to use without joining our email list. In return, we invite optional feedback:

1. Which prompt helped you most?
2. Which prompt was unclear or missing?
3. What narrow technology-selection question would you like a future example to address?

Email feedback@darkfactorymaker.com with the subject Worksheet feedback. Keep examples generic and non-confidential; omit facility names, proprietary data, and personal information about others. Sending feedback does not subscribe you to marketing updates.

## About this worksheet

This worksheet helps frame an initial discussion. It does not select technology, establish design criteria, or authorize engineering reliance. Project-specific professional review, validation, authentication, and issue control require an appropriate Licensed Engineering Partner where applicable.


Optional: subscribe to free daily Dark Factory Field Notes at https://darkfactorymaker.com/#verified-updates . Public subscriptions require email confirmation. You can use this worksheet without subscribing.