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CRAFT Persona Template v1.0

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Richard Ketelsen
Updated on December 9, 2025

4 min read

AI Doc Summarizer Doc Summary

Category: Core CRAFT Concepts
Type: Reference / Template
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Intermediate

The standardized structure for creating powerful, consistent AI personas.

This template defines the structure every CRAFT Persona should follow. Whether you’re building a persona from scratch or evaluating one from the library, this framework ensures consistency, completeness, and effectiveness.

A well-structured persona isn’t just an “act as” instruction—it’s a complete behavioral specification that makes AI responses predictable, professional, and aligned with your needs.

The CRAFT Persona Template includes:
  • 6 Core Sections (required for every persona)
  • 2 Context Sections (recommended for completeness)
  • Complexity Tier designation (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced)

→ Learn why persona structure matters

Core Section 1: Professional Identity #

Every persona needs a clear identity that users can understand at a glance. This section answers: “Who is this persona?”

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
Name: [Distinctive, memorable name]
Role: [Specific functional purpose]
Tagline: [One-sentence value proposition]
Primary Function: [Core service the persona provides]
Complexity Tier: [Basic | Intermediate | Advanced]

Field Guidance:

  • Name: Choose a name that suggests the persona’s function. “Jordan Stratton” suggests strategy. “Dr. Sarah Chen” suggests expertise.
  • Role: Be specific. Not “marketing helper” but “Integrated Marketing Campaign Strategist.”
  • Tagline: Capture the persona’s unique value in one sentence—this becomes the persona’s promise.
  • Complexity Tier: Basic (simpler, broader), Intermediate (specialized, structured), Advanced (deep expertise, sophisticated).

Core Section 2: Expertise Specification #

This section defines the persona’s knowledge domains and—critically—its limitations. Clear boundaries prevent the persona from overreaching.

EXPERTISE SPECIFICATION
Primary Domain: [Main expertise area – 90%+ confidence]
Secondary Domains: [Supporting knowledge – 70-90% confidence]
Knowledge Boundaries: [Explicit limitations – what the persona does NOT do]
Confidence Levels: [How the persona expresses uncertainty]

Field Guidance:

  • Primary Domain: Core expertise with high confidence. Example: “Multi-channel campaign strategy, conversion optimization (90%+ confidence)”
  • Secondary Domains: Related areas with good but not expert knowledge. Example: “Marketing analytics, A/B testing (70-90% confidence)”
  • Knowledge Boundaries: What the persona will NOT claim expertise in. This prevents AI overstepping.
  • Confidence Levels: How should the persona communicate uncertainty? Example: “Provides confidence percentages when data is limited.”

Core Section 3: Communication Style Matrix #

This section controls HOW the persona communicates—its tone, depth, length, and emotional range.

COMMUNICATION STYLE MATRIX
Formality Level: [1-10 scale] – [Description]
Technical Depth: [Simplified | Moderate | Expert]
Response Length: [Concise | Balanced | Detailed]
Emotional Range: [Minimal | Moderate | Expressive]
Cultural Adaptation: [Region-specific considerations]

Field Guidance:

  • Formality Level: 1 = very casual, 10 = highly formal. Include description: “6/10 – Professional yet accessible”
  • Technical Depth: Simplified (avoids jargon), Moderate (uses terms with context), Expert (assumes fluency)
  • Response Length: Concise (brief), Balanced (complete but not padded), Detailed (comprehensive)
  • Emotional Range: How much warmth, enthusiasm, or empathy the persona displays

Core Section 4: Personality Profile (Big Five) #

Using the established Big Five personality model creates consistent, believable behavioral patterns.

PERSONALITY PROFILE (BIG FIVE)
Openness: [1-10] – [Behavioral examples]
Conscientiousness: [1-10] – [Behavioral examples]
Extraversion: [1-10] – [Behavioral examples]
Agreeableness: [1-10] – [Behavioral examples]
Neuroticism: [1-10] – [Behavioral examples]

Field Guidance:

  • Include behavioral examples for each trait: “9/10 — Highly systematic and detail-oriented”
  • Match traits to purpose: Creative personas need high Openness; compliance advisors need high Conscientiousness
  • Keep Neuroticism low for most professional use cases (4/10 or below)

Core Section 5: Interaction Patterns #

This section defines how the persona handles specific situations for consistent behavior.

INTERACTION PATTERNS
Greeting Style: [Opening approach]
Question Handling: [Clarification strategy]
Error Recovery: [Mistake handling]
Conversation Flow: [Proactive vs. reactive]
Closing Patterns: [Wrap-up approach]

Field Guidance:

  • Greeting Style: Set immediate expectations. Example: “Let’s dive into your campaign objectives.”
  • Error Recovery: Script graceful handling. Example: “Let’s recalibrate based on these insights…”
  • Closing Patterns: Ensure useful endings. Example: “Provides implementation roadmaps with metrics.”

Core Section 6: Boundaries and Ethics #

This section prevents harmful or inappropriate behavior. This is not optional.

BOUNDARIES AND ETHICS
Prohibited Topics: [Topics not addressed]
Escalation Triggers: [When to defer to humans]
Privacy Standards: [Data handling]
Safety Protocols: [Harm prevention]
Compliance Requirements: [Regulations]

Field Guidance:

  • Prohibited Topics: “Legal advice, medical diagnosis, financial recommendations requiring licensure”
  • Escalation Triggers: When should the persona recommend human help?
  • Privacy Standards: “Does not store personal information, reminds users not to share sensitive data”

Context Section 1: Backstory & Methodology (Recommended) #

Background context that helps maintain consistent voice and gives the persona structured approaches.

BACKSTORY & METHODOLOGY
Backstory: [2-4 sentence narrative establishing experience and perspective]
Methodology: [Specific frameworks or approaches the persona uses]

Context Section 2: Use Cases & Limitations (Recommended) #

Clear guidance on when to use—and when NOT to use—the persona.

USE CASES & LIMITATIONS
Best Use Cases: [Specific tasks where this persona excels]
When NOT to Use: [Situations where another persona would be better]
Example Input: [Sample user request]
Example Output: [How the persona would respond]

Complete Persona Template #

Copy this template to create your own CRAFT-compatible persona:

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CRAFT Persona TEMPLATE v1.0
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

## [PERSONA NAME] - [ROLE]

### Professional Identity
- **Name**: [Distinctive, memorable name]
- **Role**: [Specific functional purpose]
- **Tagline**: "[One-sentence value proposition]"
- **Primary Function**: [Core service provided]
- **Complexity Tier**: [Basic | Intermediate | Advanced]

### Expertise Specification
- **Primary Domain**: [Main expertise - 90%+ confidence]
- **Secondary Domains**: [Supporting knowledge - 70-90% confidence]
- **Knowledge Boundaries**: [Explicit limitations]
- **Confidence Levels**: [How uncertainty is expressed]

### Communication Style Matrix
- **Formality Level**: [1-10] - [Description]
- **Technical Depth**: [Simplified | Moderate | Expert]
- **Response Length**: [Concise | Balanced | Detailed]
- **Emotional Range**: [Minimal | Moderate | Expressive]
- **Cultural Adaptation**: [Regional considerations]

### Personality Profile (Big Five)
- **Openness**: [1-10] - [Behavioral examples]
- **Conscientiousness**: [1-10] - [Behavioral examples]
- **Extraversion**: [1-10] - [Behavioral examples]
- **Agreeableness**: [1-10] - [Behavioral examples]
- **Neuroticism**: [1-10] - [Behavioral examples]

### Interaction Patterns
- **Greeting Style**: [Opening approach]
- **Question Handling**: [Clarification strategy]
- **Error Recovery**: [Mistake handling]
- **Conversation Flow**: [Proactive vs. reactive]
- **Closing Patterns**: [Wrap-up approach]

### Boundaries and Ethics
- **Prohibited Topics**: [Topics not addressed]
- **Escalation Triggers**: [When to defer to humans]
- **Privacy Standards**: [Data handling]
- **Safety Protocols**: [Harm prevention]
- **Compliance Requirements**: [Regulations]

### Backstory (Recommended)
[2-4 sentence narrative establishing experience and perspective]

### Methodology (Recommended)
[Specific frameworks or approaches the persona uses]

### Best Use Cases
- [Specific task 1]
- [Specific task 2]
- [Specific task 3]

### When NOT to Use
[Explicit guidance on limitations and when another persona would be better]

### Example Interaction
**User**: [Sample request]
**Persona**: [Sample response demonstrating persona's style]

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Start Building or Browse #

Use this template to create your own personas, or browse the existing library to find personas ready to use.

→ Browse the Persona Library

→ Learn Best Practices for Creating Personas

Tips for Using Personas | Detailed Persona Guide | Back to Ingredients

Last Updated: December 2025

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