{"id":"fpa-cost-cutting-options-memo-cfo","audience":"fpa","category":"finance-work","track":"finance","level":"advanced","technique":"constraints","title":"Draft a cost-cutting options memo that leaves the decision to the CFO","free":false,"task":"The CFO needs $1.2M cut from FY27 opex and will decide herself by Nov 20. Write a memo with three headings as plain lines ending in a colon: \"Options:\", \"Combinations that reach $1.2M:\" and \"Decision needed:\". Show each option's FY27 net savings with the math and its main tradeoff, use procurement's confirmed figure, and don't recommend an option. Plain text with no bold or # headings, under 220 words.","materialLabel":"Source material (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"FY27 COST OPTIONS - working notes (Nov 6)\n\nA. Pause 6 open engineering reqs: 6 x $150,000 = $900,000 saved. Mobile v2 slips one quarter.\n\nB. Halve the events program: saves $400,000. Events sourced 18% of new pipeline in FY26.\n\nC. Move tier-1 support to an outside vendor: saves $600,000 a year once live. One-time transition cost of $250,000, all in FY27. Risk: CSAT dipped 6 points the last time we outsourced chat.\n\nD. Renegotiate SaaS contracts: estimated $150,000.\n\nProcurement update, Nov 5: \"Of the $150k SaaS estimate, only $90k is confirmed in signed renewals. The rest depends on two vendors who haven't replied.\"\n\nOther ideas floated in the hallway, not costed: four-day work week pilot, cancelling the holiday party.\n\nCFO decision meeting: Nov 20.","rules":[{"type":"plainText"},{"type":"maxWords","max":220}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Using gross savings","why":"The AI counts the full $600,000 for the vendor option and ignores the transition cost.","fix":"Add: \"Show FY27 net savings: savings minus one-time costs in FY27.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Trusting the estimate","why":"The AI uses the $150k SaaS estimate instead of procurement's confirmed $90k.","fix":"Say: \"Use procurement's confirmed $90k for D.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Combos that don't add up","why":"Without the net figures, the AI lists combinations that fall short.","fix":"Ask: \"List only combinations whose FY27 net savings add to $1.2M or more, with the sum.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Making the call","why":"The AI ends with \"We recommend Option A\", which isn't its decision to make.","fix":"Say: \"Present options only. The CFO decides; don't recommend.\"","checks":["r2","plainText","maxWords"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Asks for net savings","patterns":["net","one-time","transition"]},{"label":"Uses the confirmed figure","patterns":["confirm","90","procurement"]},{"label":"Leaves the decision to the CFO","patterns":["don.t recommend","no recommendation","cfo decides","not pick"]},{"label":"Names the headings","patterns":["options:","combinations","decision needed"]},{"label":"Sets the format","patterns":["plain","no bold","colon"]}],"hint":"A decision memo lays out choices with honest numbers. Tell the AI which figures are firm and who makes the call.","rubricLabels":["Option C shows FY27 net savings of $350,000 ($600,000 − $250,000) and Option D uses procurement's confirmed $90,000, not $150,000","The combinations section lists only combinations that reach $1.2M on FY27 net figures (such as A+B = $1.3M or A+C = $1.25M) and doesn't claim A+D reaches it","The \"Decision needed:\" section names the CFO and the Nov 20 meeting and does not recommend or pick an option"]}