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Recommend a scheduling tool from messy demo notes

Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your director wants your pick of a scheduling tool for your 12-person team. Put your recommendation and the main reason first, then exactly 3 bullets, one per tool, each with its total monthly cost for all 12 people on monthly billing (not the per-user price) and whether it syncs with PayGrid, your payroll system (a must). Under 80 words, plain text, and use only what's in your notes, leaving out rumors.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking which one to pick. The AI writes a long comparison with headings and pros and cons for every tool. Try: Be exact: "Recommendation first, then exactly 3 bullets, one per tool. Plain text."
  • 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: "First line under 20 words, each bullet under 15 words."
  • Not naming the must-have. The AI weighs every feature, so the cheapest tool or the nicest app can win. Try: Add: "PayGrid sync is a must. Rule out any tool without it today."
  • Giving per-user prices. The AI copies the per-user prices, including the first $7 Crewlane quote, instead of the total your director pays. Try: Add: "We pay monthly. Give each tool's total for 12 people at the latest price."
  • Letting rumors in. The AI repeats the unsourced buyout rumor as if it were a real risk. Try: Add: "Use only facts from my notes. Don't mention the buyout rumor."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the must-have
  • Puts the pick first
  • Limits the bullets
  • Asks for the monthly cost
  • Sets a word limit

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