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Audit software subscriptions for overlap and non-use
- For Accountants
- You practice Asking for a format you can use
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
You're reviewing recurring software charges. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns Tool | Monthly | Annual | Flag, one row per tool, then a line starting "Annual total:" and a line starting "Flagged annual total:" with the addition for each. Flag is Overlap if another tool does the same job, Unused if the last login was over 90 days ago, otherwise OK. Flags are for review, not a recommendation to cancel. Under 130 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Flagging only one overlapping tool. The AI flags Boardwalk (fewer users) and marks Taskly OK. Try: Say: "Flag both tools that share a purpose as Overlap."
- Recommending cancellation. The AI says to cancel Pixelcraft and Boardwalk. Try: Add: "Flags are for review. Do not recommend canceling anything."
- Annual math errors. The AI mis-multiplies or adds the wrong tools in the flagged total. Try: Say: "Annual = monthly x 12; flagged total adds only Overlap and Unused tools."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.
What a strong prompt includes
- Names the columns
- Gives the flag rule
- Asks for two total lines
- Bans cancel advice
- Caps length
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