> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spexcompl.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Before you start

> Prepare your documents and understand the compliance workflow before creating your first project.

## What you need

Before creating your first project, make sure you have the following ready:

* The complete **RFP document** (PDF format)
* **Product datasheets** for all intended equipment
* **Exact model numbers** for each product
* **Bill of Materials** (Excel format), if available

<Info>
  If your RFP is a scanned PDF, the system will process it using OCR. Structured tables and multi-level numbering formats are supported.
</Info>

## Preparation guidelines

* Ensure each datasheet corresponds to the exact product model you intend to propose.
* If a datasheet includes multiple variants, identify the correct model in advance.
* Do not run compliance before linking the correct SKUs in Scope.

<Warning>
  Accurate inputs are essential for reliable compliance evaluation.
</Warning>

## Workflow overview

speXcompl.ai follows a structured compliance pipeline. Each stage builds on the previous one — skipping steps may affect accuracy.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spexcomplai/ce0t7BW5RdQpGNzx/images/how-to-guide/workflow-overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ce0t7BW5RdQpGNzx&q=85&s=fd23cf2219e4405b2ad890ba188525b0" alt="Compliance workflow: Create Project, Review Extraction, Configure Scope, Run AI Evaluation, Validate Results, Export Report" width="2048" height="1117" data-path="images/how-to-guide/workflow-overview.png" />
</Frame>

The six steps are:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create project">
    Upload the RFP, product datasheets, and define your Bill of Materials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review extraction">
    Confirm the structured requirements extracted from the RFP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure scope">
    Define the SKUs (product models) you intend to propose.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run AI evaluation">
    Analyze requirements against your selected SKUs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate results">
    Review compliance status and supporting evidence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export report">
    Generate an Excel compliance report.
  </Step>
</Steps>