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Show three quarters of KPIs with change and direction, not good or bad

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

You're building a KPI trend table for the board deck. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns KPI | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q2 to Q3 change | Direction, one row per KPI. The change is Q3 minus Q2 with a sign. Direction is exactly Up, Down or Flat and describes the number only, not whether it's good. Don't use words like improving, worsening, good or bad. No commentary. Under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Judging churn as good. The AI marks churn rising as 'worsening' or Down. Try: Say: "Direction is the movement of the number only: churn rising is Up."
  • Value words. The AI adds 'improving' or 'trending well'. Try: Add: "Never use the words improving, worsening, good, bad or well."
  • Missing signs. The AI shows 0.2 without a plus sign. Try: Add: "Change = Q3 minus Q2 with a plus or minus sign."
  • Wrong columns. The AI drops the Direction column. Try: Say: "Columns exactly: KPI | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q2 to Q3 change | Direction."
  • 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

  • Names the columns
  • Restricts Direction
  • Gives the change formula
  • Bans value words
  • Limits output

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