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Make a ship decision when the guardrail failed
- For Product managers
- You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
Your VP needs a go or no-go on the new search layout test. Write exactly 4 labeled lines in plain text, under 90 words: Result, Guardrail, Decision and Next step. Decision must start with Ship or Do not ship and follow the pre-registered rule. Use only the numbers in the notes and show the differences.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Following the design lead. The AI ships because purchases went up. Try: Add: "Apply the pre-registered rule: ship only if no guardrail is breached."
- Skipping the numbers. The AI says 'load time is slower' without 2.1 to 2.6 seconds and the 0.3 limit. Try: Add: "Guardrail line: 2.1 to 2.6 seconds, +0.5, limit 0.3."
- Vague next step. The AI suggests more research with no specific action. Try: Add: "Next step: fix the image slowdown (about one sprint) and re-test."
- Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold or headings."
- 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 part instead, for example "each line under 15 words."
What a strong prompt includes
- Gives the four labels
- Applies the rule
- Shows differences
- Starts the decision
- Caps length
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