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Pin down a metric definition the analysts can use
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your analytics team needs the final definition of 'Weekly Active Team' for the new dashboard. Write exactly 4 lines labeled Name:, Counts when:, Excludes: and Window:, in that order, under 70 words, plain text. Use only the final decisions from the thread, and leave out the history of the debate.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking 'what's the definition'. The AI explains the whole discussion with headings and bullets. Try: Show the shape: "4 lines labeled Name:, Counts when:, Excludes:, Window:."
- 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."
- Mixing in dropped ideas. Viewing, comments and 30 days all appear in the thread, and the AI may include them. Try: Add: "Use only the final decisions: create or edit, 7 days rolling."
- Telling the story. AI likes to explain how a decision was reached, which analysts don't need. Try: Add: "No history of the debate. Just the definition."
What a strong prompt includes
- Shows the line labels
- Uses only final decisions
- Drops the history
- Says who it's for
- Sets a word limit
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