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Answer managers' questions about a budget trim without promises
- For FP&A and financial analysts
- You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
You're sending four answers to department managers about the discretionary budget trim. Write a prompt for exactly four plain-text lines labeled "A1:" to "A4:", each under 22 words, using only the CFO's notes. Give exact new budgets where asked. Don't promise exceptions or a restoration of funds. Under 100 words in total. No bullets or numbering.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Promising restoration. The AI reassures Dev that the 5% will return in 2027. Try: Add: "Do not promise that funds will come back."
- Guaranteeing an exception. The AI tells Kim the client event will be exempted. Try: Say: "Approval is not assured."
- Wrong budget. The AI trims the wrong number or forgets to show the new figure. Try: Add: "Show the new budget as old budget less 5%."
- 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 line labels
- Asks for budget math
- Covers exceptions
- Bans promises
- Caps length
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