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Ask six clarifying questions before drafting an RFQ for racking

  • For Procurement
  • You practice Giving the right context
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

A requester sent a vague message and you can't write an RFQ from it. Write a prompt for exactly 6 numbered questions to ask the requester, each ending with a question mark and asking one thing only. Cover quantity and size, load rating, delivery site and date, installation, budget approval, and the lease requirement. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Double-barreled questions. The AI packs two or three asks into one question. Try: Say: "One thing per question."
  • Missing the lease and approval. The AI asks generic procurement questions only. Try: Name the six topics, including budget approval and the lease requirement.
  • Wrong count. The AI writes 10 questions with an intro. Try: Say: "Exactly 6 numbered questions" and show the format.
  • Missing core specs. The AI skips quantity or load rating. Try: List quantity and size, load rating, delivery and installation.
  • Markdown extras and long output. AI adds bold, headings and bullets by default, which show up as stray symbols where this is pasted. Try: Say "plain text, no bold, no headings" and cap each line, for example "each line under 15 words".

What a strong prompt includes

  • Sets the count
  • Lists the topics
  • Says one thing per question
  • Rules out asking about vendors
  • Asks for plain text

Practice this now ↑

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