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Compare three chair quotes in a table against stated criteria

  • For Procurement
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You are comparing quotes for 20 office chairs. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns Vendor, Total, Lead days, Warranty yrs and Meets all?, one row per vendor. Total is shown as the math (quantity x unit price + freight = total). A vendor meets all only if lead time is 21 days or less and warranty is at least 3 years. After the table add one line starting "For approval:" naming the cheapest vendor that meets all, and its total. Nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Picking the cheapest overall. The AI recommends Brightline because its total is lowest. Try: Say: "Meets all? is Yes only if lead time is 21 days or less and warranty is 3 years or more."
  • Totals with no math. The AI shows only a final number, so errors hide. Try: Say: "Show the math, like 20 x 212 + 180 = 4,420."
  • Wrong structure. The AI writes prose or adds a long analysis. Try: Name the columns and say nothing before the table or after the last line.
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and usually runs long, so a vague "keep it short" lands over the limit. Try: Cap each part instead of the total, for example "each line under 15 words".

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the columns
  • Shows totals as math
  • States both pass conditions
  • Defines the final line
  • Sets a length limit

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