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Show runway without and with an unsigned loan, kept separate

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

You're giving the CEO runway under two views. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Cash at Jan 1:", "Runway without the loan:", "Runway with the term sheet:", "Term sheet status:" and "Not included:". Runway is measured in months from Nov 1, 2026. Burn changes on Jan 1. Show the math. The with-loan view is labeled as conditional, and the base view uses only cash in the bank. Facts only: no view on whether the company is safe. Under 120 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Counting the loan in the base view. The AI adds the unsigned loan to the main runway. Try: Say: "Base view uses only cash in the bank; the loan view is conditional."
  • Using one burn rate. The AI uses $400,000 or $450,000 for all months. Try: Add: "Burn is $400,000 for Nov-Dec and $450,000 from Jan 1."
  • Answering are we okay. The AI says the company is fine or at risk. Try: Add: "Facts only; no view on safety."
  • 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
  • Splits the burn
  • Labels the loan conditional
  • Bans a safety view
  • Caps length

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