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List the assumptions behind a strategy and how to test each

  • For Executives
  • You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

Review the draft strategy memo and list its assumptions in a markdown table with columns Assumption, Evidence in memo, Test, Test by. Include only assumptions the memo relies on without proof. Exactly 4 rows. Test by dates must come from the memo's calendar, and the Evidence column must say "none" when the memo gives no support. Output only the table.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Listing supported facts. The AI includes SSO/audit logs, which engineering committed to. Try: Say: "Only assumptions with no proof; skip things that are planned and dated."
  • Inventing dates. The AI makes up test deadlines. Try: Say: "Test by must be a date from the memo's calendar."
  • Hiding the lack of evidence. The AI writes plausible evidence. Try: Say: "Write 'none' in the Evidence column when the memo gives no support."
  • Wrong shape. The AI writes paragraphs or 7 rows. Try: Say: "Columns Assumption, Evidence in memo, Test, Test by; exactly 4 rows."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each cell: "each cell under 15 words."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the columns
  • Exactly four rows
  • Only unproven
  • Says 'none'
  • Dates from memo

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