Library › Leadership AI › Consultants

Lay out a consulting issue tree as JSON for a client deck

  • For Consultants
  • You practice Showing an example of what you want
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

Your deck tool builds issue-tree slides from JSON. Build the tree for "Why did Q3 renewal rate fall from 91% to 84%?". Output one JSON code block with keys question and branches; exactly 3 branches that don't overlap (who left, why they left, what we did differently), each with a branch name, 2 hypotheses and a data_point quoted from the material. The single rep's anecdote must not be used as a data point. Under 25 lines of code and no more than 20 words outside it.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not showing the JSON shape. The AI picks its own nesting and key names, which the deck tool can't read. Try: Show a one-branch example with the exact keys.
  • Overlapping branches. The AI makes branches like "Price" and "Value" that cover the same ground. Try: Name the split: "3 branches: who left, why they left, what we changed."
  • Data points that aren't in the material. The AI fills gaps with general industry facts. Try: Add: "Each data_point quotes a number or fact from the material."
  • Promoting an anecdote. One rep's opinion gets a branch of its own. Try: Add: "Don't use the single rep's anecdote anywhere."
  • Long explanations around the code. The AI explains the MECE logic for a paragraph. Try: Add: "Output only the code block, at most one short line before it."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for JSON
  • Shows the keys
  • Fixes the branch count
  • Grounds the data points
  • Excludes the anecdote

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises