Making the most of 2,000 words

Andrew Clark on the Toronto Freelance Editors and Writers (TFEW) e-list gives his formula for writing a "comprehensive" magazine piece within a limit of 2,000 words:

Lead - 26 lines (set place, character etc)
Billboard - outlines the major topics (say 7)
Spin it out - each graph hits the major topic
Closer - back to lead setting
out shower, shave and time for a drink