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Rewrite a rambling status update in short executive-ready sentences

  • For Project managers
  • You practice Getting the tone right
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

Rewrite this status update for the steering committee. Plain text, one paragraph of 4 sentences, each under 16 words. Sentence 1: overall status in one word (On track, At risk or Late) plus the launch date. Sentence 2: the main issue. Sentence 3: what you are doing about it with a date. Sentence 4: what you need from the committee, beginning "We ask the committee to". Do not use the words just, basically, unfortunately or kind of.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Vague status. The AI starts with background instead of the status and date. Try: Say: "Sentence 1: At risk plus the Feb 10 date."
  • Filler words. The AI keeps 'basically' and 'just'. Try: Say: "Ban just, basically, unfortunately, kind of."
  • Missing numbers. The AI says 'a few records'. Try: Say: "Keep 15%, the 21st, 2 contractors, $24,000."
  • No ask. The AI ends with a status. Try: Say: "Sentence 4: what you need from the committee."
  • Too long. The AI writes six sentences. Try: Say: "Exactly 4 sentences."
  • Markdown. The AI uses bullets. Try: Say: "One plain paragraph."
  • 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 sentence: "each under 16 words."
  • 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 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Four sentences
  • Each sentence's job
  • Bans
  • Numbers
  • Plain

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