Split a cost overrun into a volume part and a spending part

About this exercise

You're explaining a cost overrun to a plant manager. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Static budget:", "Flexed budget:", "Total variance:", "Volume part:" and "Spending part:". The flexed budget uses the actual volume with the budgeted cost per unit and budgeted fixed cost. Show the math and label each variance favorable or unfavorable (cost above budget is unfavorable). Under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Blaming spending for the full overrun. The AI agrees with the plant manager. Try: Say: "Split the variance using a flexed budget at actual volume."
• Flexing the fixed cost. The AI scales the $20,000 fixed cost with units. Try: Add: "Fixed cost does not change with volume."
• Missing labels. The AI doesn't say favorable or unfavorable. Try: Add: "Label each variance."
• Wrong lines. The AI writes a paragraph instead of five labeled lines. Try: Add: "Five lines with these exact labels in order."
• 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 part short.

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the five lines
• Defines the flexed budget
• Asks for labels
• Asks for the math
• Caps length

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