diff --git a/TEMPLATE.md b/TEMPLATE.md
index dbd1021..79b4173 100644
--- a/TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/TEMPLATE.md
@@ -23,26 +23,18 @@ Use this template for every AI/agentic business idea in this repo.
 ## High Level Use Cases
 - Concrete ways customers would use this
 
+## High Level Design / Dependencies
+- Architecture / system design overview
+- External services, data sources, APIs
+- Key technical dependencies
+
 ## Differentiation / Competitive Edge
 - Why this vs existing alternatives?
 
-## Validation Status
-- Research undertaken: `untested / light / deep`
-- Evidence / links
+## State of this idea
+- `initial` / `in progress` / `ready for review`
 
 ## Risks
 - Technical
 - Market
 - Regulatory
-
-## Resources Required
-- Skills / role types
-- Tooling
-- Capital / time estimates
-- Dependencies
-
-## Next Steps
-- [ ] Research
-- [ ] MVP
-- [ ] Pre-sales / signups
-- [ ] Launch