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Write forecast drivers as plain-English assumptions
- For FP&A and financial analysts
- You practice Saying who it's for
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
The leadership team wants the FY27 subscription forecast drivers in plain words, not spreadsheet logic. Write exactly 5 numbered assumptions, one per driver, each a single sentence with the value and its source in parentheses at the end. Use the latest value for each driver. No formulas, "=" signs or cell references. Plain text, under 120 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Using the stale driver. The AI copies 150 from the driver table and misses the Nov 1 revision. Try: Add: "Use the latest value for each driver; new customers is 120 after the Nov 1 update."
- Dropping the sources. The AI states assumptions without saying who owns them, so nobody knows whom to ask. Try: Say: "End each line with its source in parentheses."
- Echoing the spreadsheet. The AI repeats cell references and formulas that leaders can't read. Try: Say: "No formulas, = signs or cell references."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs long, adding lists and formatting you didn't ask for. Try: Cap each part ("each line under 15 words") and state the format: "plain text, no bold."
What a strong prompt includes
- Uses the latest values
- Cites sources
- Bans spreadsheet logic
- Fixes the count
- Sets a length limit
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