{"id":"lead-decision-memo-inventory-system","audience":"executives","category":"leadership-work","track":"leadership","level":"advanced","technique":"verification","title":"Write a decision memo that shows the math behind each option","free":false,"task":"You must choose an inventory system before Dec 1. Write 3 numbered options, one line each, showing its 3-year cost math and whether it can go live before peak season (Oct 1), using the latest vendor quote. End with one line starting \"Recommendation:\" that picks one option and gives the reason. Plain text, under 200 words.","materialLabel":"Options and emails (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"Inventory system decision - options from the ops team\n\nOption A: Keep current spreadsheets + old license. License $6,000/yr. Manual counts cost about $9,000/yr in overtime. Live now.\nOption B: StockLedger (SaaS). Setup $12,000 one time. Subscription $8,000/yr. Go-live in 3 months.\nOption C: Build our own with the contractor. $40,000 one time, then $3,000/yr hosting. Contractor estimates 9 months, start in February.\n\nEmail from StockLedger rep, Nov 4:\n\"Following up - our pricing changed Nov 1. The subscription is now $10,000/yr for your tier. Setup unchanged.\"\n\nEmail from CFO (Priya), Nov 5:\n\"Whatever we pick has to be live before peak season Oct 1. Also please stop calling it 'cheap' in meetings, show me the 3-year number.\"\n\nWarehouse lead (Gus): \"Option C would be perfect for us, we'd get exactly what we want.\" Gus has not seen the timeline.\n\nBoard meeting Dec 3. Decision needed by Dec 1 so the contract can start Jan 2.","rules":[{"type":"numberedItems","count":3},{"type":"maxWords","max":200},{"type":"plainText"}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Using the old quote","why":"The AI reads the $8,000/yr option list and misses the price change email.","fix":"Add: \"Use StockLedger's new price of $10,000/yr from the Nov 4 email.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Hiding the math","why":"The AI gives totals, or just says 'cheapest', without showing how it got there.","fix":"Say: \"On each line show the math, like $12,000 + $10,000 x 3 = $42,000.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Ignoring the hard deadline","why":"The AI compares cost only and misses that C can't be live by Oct 1.","fix":"Add: \"Say whether each option can go live before Oct 1.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Burying the call","why":"The AI ends with 'it depends' or a pros and cons list with no pick.","fix":"Add: \"Last line: Recommendation: one option and why.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Writing a long memo","why":"The AI adds background sections and bold labels.","fix":"Say: \"3 numbered lines and a recommendation line, plain text.\"","checks":["numberedItems","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 part instead: \"each line under 15 words.\"","checks":["maxWords"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Uses the latest quote","patterns":["10,?000","new price","latest","updated","nov 4"]},{"label":"Shows the math","patterns":["math","show","3-year","three-year","total"]},{"label":"Checks the deadline","patterns":["oct(ober)? 1","peak","go[- ]live","deadline"]},{"label":"Asks for a recommendation line","patterns":["recommendation:","recommend","pick one"]},{"label":"Sets the shape","patterns":["numbered","\\b(3|three)\\b.{0,15}(lines|options)","plain text"]}],"hint":"A decision memo earns trust when the reader can check every number. Tell the AI which quote is current, to show the math on each line, the deadline test, and where the pick goes.","rubricLabels":["Each option shows its 3-year cost math: A is $15,000 x 3 = $45,000; B uses the new $10,000/yr price ($12,000 + $30,000 = $42,000); C is $40,000 + $9,000 = $49,000","Says whether each option can go live before Oct 1 (A yes, B yes in about 3 months, C at risk or no, since 9 months from February lands around November)","The last line starts with 'Recommendation:' and picks Option B, citing the lowest 3-year cost and the Oct 1 deadline"]}