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Answer a board member's runway questions in a short Q&A

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

A board member emailed four questions. Answer as exactly 4 Q:/A: pairs in her order, each answer under 30 words with the math shown. Count only cash in the bank, not unsigned deals. FP&A doesn't advise on where to invest cash, so that answer must refer her to the CFO instead of recommending anything. Plain text, under 160 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Counting unsigned deals. The AI adds the $1.5M Kessler prepayment and stretches the runway. Try: Add: "Count only cash in the bank. Exclude the unsigned Kessler prepayment."
  • Skipping the policy math. The AI says 'raise soon' instead of working back from the 9-month rule. Try: Ask: "For question 3, subtract 9 months from each runway."
  • Giving investment advice. The AI weighs in on money market funds, which isn't FP&A's call. Try: Say: "Don't recommend where to invest cash; refer question 4 to the CFO."
  • Long answers. The AI writes a paragraph per question with headings. Try: Say: "Each answer under 30 words, plain text, Q: and A: lines."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Excludes unsigned deals
  • Uses the 9-month rule
  • Avoids investment advice
  • Asks for Q and A lines
  • Sets a length limit

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