{"id":"exec-escalation-email-steerco-options","audience":"project-managers","category":"leadership-work","track":"leadership","level":"intermediate","technique":"tone","title":"Escalate a blocked project to the steering committee with two options","free":false,"task":"Write an escalation email to the steering committee in plain text, under 150 words, subject first. Structure: one sentence on what is blocked and since when; one sentence on the business impact with a number; Option 1 and Option 2 each on its own line with cost and date; a line starting \"We recommend:\" naming one option; a final line: Decision needed by Tuesday Dec 3. Use only the notes and do not blame the vendor by name.","materialLabel":"Project notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"Project Heron (warehouse scanners rollout)\n\n- Blocked since Nov 12: the scanner vendor (\"Zeta Devices\") hasn't delivered the firmware needed for the 40 new scanners. Revised vendor promise: Dec 20 (previously Nov 25).\n- Impact: 40 scanners idle; the Reno warehouse is doing manual picking, costing about $9,000 a week in extra labor.\n- Option 1: Wait for the vendor. Cost: about $9,000 x 5 weeks = $45,000 extra labor. Go-live Jan 6.\n- Option 2: Buy 10 interim scanners from a second supplier for $18,000 and run a partial rollout. Reduces labor cost by about 40%. Go-live for Reno Dec 9.\n- Recommendation from the team: Option 2.\n- Steering committee meets Dec 5, but a decision is needed earlier to place the order.\n- Other note: the vendor's account manager was rude on a call. Leave it out.","rules":[{"type":"maxWords","max":150},{"type":"plainText"}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Blaming the vendor","why":"The AI names the vendor and mentions the call.","fix":"Say: \"Don't name the vendor or mention the call.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Missing numbers","why":"The AI writes 'costly delays'.","fix":"Say: \"Give $9,000 a week, $45,000 and $18,000.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Weak ending","why":"The AI ends with thanks.","fix":"Say: \"End with: Decision needed by Tuesday Dec 3.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"No recommendation line","why":"The AI lists options without a pick.","fix":"Say: \"Add a line starting We recommend:.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Markdown","why":"The AI bolds options.","fix":"Say: \"Plain text.\"","checks":["plainText"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it.","fix":"Cap each line: \"each line under 25 words.\"","checks":["maxWords"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it.","fix":"Cap each part instead, for example: \"each line under 12 words.\"","checks":["maxWords"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Subject","patterns":["subject"]},{"label":"Options","patterns":["option 1","option 2"]},{"label":"Recommendation","patterns":["we recommend:"]},{"label":"Ending","patterns":["decision needed by","dec 3"]},{"label":"No blame","patterns":["don'?t name","no blame"]}],"hint":"Give the structure line by line, the recommendation label and the exact final line.","rubricLabels":["Starts with a Subject line, says the work has been blocked since Nov 12 awaiting firmware, and gives the impact of about $9,000 a week in extra labor","Option 1 shows $45,000 and Jan 6 and Option 2 shows $18,000 and Dec 9, each on its own line, followed by a line starting \"We recommend:\" naming Option 2","Ends with exactly \"Decision needed by Tuesday Dec 3\" and does not name Zeta Devices or mention the rude call"]}