# Full Rework Decision Guide

**Last Updated:** 2026-02-11

Single-page guide for when to full rework vs patch a blog post.

## Decision Table

| Condition | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| Quality Score \< 60 | **Full rework mandatory** |
| Word Count \< 80% of target | **Full rework mandatory** |
| SEO Score \< 50 | **Full rework mandatory** |
| No SERP_ANALYSIS.md exists | **Full rework mandatory** (analysis required first) |
| User says "improve", "rework", "do post X" for underperforming post | **Full rework mandatory** |
| User says "fix links" or "add excerpt" only | Patchwork acceptable |

## Decision Flow

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A[User requests post improvement] --> B{Quality Score < 60 OR<br/>Word Count < 80% target?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Full rework mandatory]
    B -->|No| D{SERP_ANALYSIS.md exists?}
    D -->|No| C
    D -->|Yes| E{User request type?}
    E -->|fix links only| F[Patchwork acceptable]
    E -->|improve/rework/do post X| C
    C --> G[Complete Phases 1-3]
    G --> H[Run validate-improvement-readiness.php]
    H --> I{Exit 0?}
    I -->|Yes| J[Proceed to Phase 4: Content Creation]
    I -->|No| G
    J --> K[Rewrite from scratch]
```

## When Full Rework Is Required

1. **Do not patch.** No incremental fixes (links, excerpt, headings).
2. **Complete Phases 1–3:**
   - Phase 1: Data collection (backup, GA4, GSC, derive, SISTRIX, FAQ, SERP features)
   - Phase 2: Analysis and docs (read all reports)
   - Phase 3: SERP analysis (min 30 min), create SERP_ANALYSIS.md, create CONTENT_OUTLINE.md
3. **Run phase gate:** `php v2/scripts/blog/validate-improvement-readiness.php --post={slug} --category={category}`
4. **Rewrite content from scratch** using outline.

## Phase Gate

```bash
php v2/scripts/blog/validate-improvement-readiness.php --post=SLUG --category=CATEGORY
```

- **Exit 0:** Ready for Phase 4 (Content Creation)
- **Exit 1:** Complete missing steps (SERP_ANALYSIS.md, CONTENT_OUTLINE.md, or data refresh)

## Related

- [BLOG_POST_IMPROVEMENT_PROCESS.md](BLOG_POST_IMPROVEMENT_PROCESS.md) – Full workflow
- `generate-pre-content-checklist.php` – Generates PRE_CONTENT_CHECKLIST.md per post
- [SERP_ANALYSIS_WORKFLOW.md](SERP_ANALYSIS_WORKFLOW.md) – SERP research methodology