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Prepare short answers to likely board questions from the results pack

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

You're preparing the CFO for the board Q&A. Write a prompt for three question-and-answer pairs in plain text, formatted "Q1: ..." then "A1: ..." on the next line, answers under 25 words. Use only the results pack. If the pack doesn't contain the answer, the answer must be exactly "Not in the pack; I will follow up." Plain text, no intro. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Guessing concentration. The AI makes up a top-five percentage. Try: Add: 'If the pack doesn't contain it, write exactly: Not in the pack; I will follow up.'
  • Vague margin answer. The AI says 'higher costs' without the drivers. Try: Say: "Answers use figures from the pack."
  • Missing the one-time item. The AI reports the cash decrease without noting the $20,000 settlement. Try: Add: "Use the bank decrease including the one-time item."
  • Markdown extras. The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Sets the Q/A format
  • Limits to the pack
  • Gives the fallback text
  • Asks for figures
  • Caps length

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