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Write a staffing ask to the VP with the capacity math

  • For Managers and team leads
  • You practice Giving the right context
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Write a memo to the VP with three headings in capitals, in this order: ASK, EVIDENCE, RISK IF NO. EVIDENCE shows the accounts-per-CSM math using the CSMs who are actually working. Use only numbers from the notes and invent no costs. Plain text, under 130 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the roster size. The AI divides 168 by 6 and finds 28, which looks fine. Try: Say: "Use only the CSMs who are working."
  • Inventing costs. The AI adds a budget figure. Try: Say: "Invent no costs; cost is not yet quoted."
  • Missing the headings. The AI writes a narrative. Try: Say: "Headings in capitals: ASK, EVIDENCE, RISK IF NO."
  • Getting markdown back. AI adds bold and headings by default, which show up as stray symbols where this is pasted. Try: Say "plain text, no bold, no headings, no asterisks".
  • Trusting the AI to count words. The AI runs long and cannot count its own words. Try: Cap each part ("each line under 12 words") and add "under N words in total".

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the three headings
  • Uses working CSMs
  • Shows math
  • Bans invented costs
  • Asks for plain text
  • Sets a word cap

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