Library › Data AI › Product managers
Compare cohort retention after removing a bulk import
Practice: Giving the right context. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
You're comparing month-1 retention for the Aug, Sep and Oct signup cohorts. The Sep cohort includes 200 accounts from a partner bulk import that never logged in; remove them (the export doesn't flag them). Write exactly 3 numbered lines, each as Cohort: active in month 2 ÷ signups = X%, then one unnumbered last line: Best: [cohort]. Plain text, under 60 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Not mentioning the import. The export doesn't flag those accounts, so Sep looks worst. Try: Add: "Remove 200 imported accounts from Sep's signups."
- Not asking to see the work. Bare rates hide what was removed. Try: Add a line to copy: "2. Sep: 540 ÷ 1,200 = 45%"
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 10 words."
- Forgetting where it goes. AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in a product review doc. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."
What a strong prompt includes
- Removes the import
- Asks to show the math
- Asks for the best cohort
- Sets a word limit
- Asks for plain text
Related exercises
- Announce a hybrid work policy change with clear actions (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a new weekend rotation in three clear rules (Productivity AI · Managers and team leads)
- Announce a promotion with the right date and no pay details (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a team change and answer the first question (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)
- Answer a showing request for a home that's under contract (Writing AI · Real estate agents)