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Report quarterly key result progress in three lines
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your skip-level manager wants a mid-quarter check on your team's key results. Write exactly 3 numbered lines in the form 'Key result: current vs target - On track or At risk', plain text, under 60 words, with any At risk line first. Use the latest figure for each, and add no explanations beyond the status.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking for 'a progress update'. The AI writes paragraphs per KR with context and headings. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered lines 'KR: current vs target - status'. 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 line instead: "each line under 15 words."
- Keeping the notes' order. The AI lists KR1 to KR3, so the risk lands last. Try: Add: "Put the At risk key result first."
- Using older figures. Week 4 numbers are in the notes, and the AI may use them. Try: Add: "Use week 6 figures."
- Adding explanations. The AI explains every number, which Mara didn't ask for. Try: Add: "Status only, no explanations."
What a strong prompt includes
- Puts the risk first
- Uses the latest figures
- Shows the line shape
- Bans explanations
- Sets a word limit
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