Email a data owner three questions about an unclear column

About this exercise

You found a column you don't understand and need its owner, Wen Zhao in data engineering, to explain it. Write a plain-text email under 90 words with a Subject: line and exactly 3 questions, each on its own line starting 'Q1:', 'Q2:' and 'Q3:'. Include one example row, don't blame anyone, and don't ask for anything else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Vague questions. The AI asks 'can you explain these columns?' Try: Add: "Q1 asks what A, P, X and 7 mean; Q2 asks about 9999-12-31; Q3 asks about NULL."
• No example. Without the row, Wen has to look it up. Try: Add: "Include the example row: sub_id 48213, status_cd 7, end_dt 9999-12-31."
• Blaming or adding asks. The AI says the docs are missing or asks for a meeting. Try: Add: "No blame, no extra requests."
• 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

• Names the reader
• Asks for the Q lines
• Gives the example row
• Gives the context
• Sets limits

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