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Rank services projects by margin and flag the low ones

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

About this exercise

You're reviewing project margins. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns Project | Revenue | Cost | Margin % | Flag, sorted by margin from lowest to highest (ties in project order), then a Total row. Cost = hours x $90 cost rate. Margin % = (revenue - cost) / revenue to one decimal. Flag is "Below 20%" when margin is under 20%. Don't explain or excuse any project. No commentary. Under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Sorting by revenue. The AI keeps projects in the original order. Try: Say: "Sort by margin from lowest to highest."
  • Explaining P2's overrun. The AI adds the scope change story. Try: Add: "Do not explain or excuse any project."
  • Missing total row or flag. The AI skips the Total row. Try: Say: "Then a Total row."
  • Margin on cost. The AI divides profit by cost. Try: Add: "Margin % = (revenue - cost) / revenue."
  • 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
  • Gives the cost formula
  • Asks for a total row
  • Bans excuses
  • Limits output

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