Run a go/no-go check on a new client project

About this exercise

Check a new project against your five rules: pays at least $75/hour, deadline at least 3 weeks away, written scope, deposit of 30% or more, client replies within 2 days. Write exactly 5 numbered lines, each 'Rule: Yes or No - evidence', then a last unnumbered line 'Verdict: Take it' or 'Verdict: Decline'. Take it only if at most 1 rule is No. The client changed one term in their latest email. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Missing the latest email. The earlier message says payment on completion, so the AI marks the deposit No. Try: Add: "Use the latest terms: 50% upfront from Oct 11."
• No rules given. Without your rules, the AI weighs the project by feel and says 'it depends'. Try: List your 5 rules and the 'at most 1 No' cutoff.
• Verdict without evidence. The AI says Yes or No without quoting the thread. Try: Show it: "1. Rate: No - $3,000 / 45 hours = $67/hour"
• An essay with advice. The AI adds negotiation tips and markdown sections. Try: Say: "Exactly 5 numbered lines plus one Verdict line. Plain text."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting words, so a total word cap usually lands over. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

• Lists the rules
• Sets the cutoff
• Asks for evidence
• Uses the latest terms
• Caps the length

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises

• Alert sales to a competitor's price change, facts only (Research & AI Search · Product managers)
• Announce a new weekend rotation in three clear rules (Productivity AI · Managers and team leads)
• Approve or deny shift swaps using the warehouse rules (Productivity AI · Managers and team leads)
• Approve or return expense claims against the policy (Productivity AI · Finance and accounting)
• Approve part of an overtime request with the math (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)