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Project the quarter from the run rate and show the shortfall
- For Executives
- You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Advanced
About this exercise
Project whether the team will hit the quarterly target using the recent run rate. Write exactly 4 numbered lines with the math in each: 1. Gap to target, 2. Weekly run rate (average of the last 4 weeks), 3. Projected closes (run rate x weeks left) and shortfall, 4. Needed per week (gap divided by weeks left, rounded up to the next whole $K). Use the 4-week average, not only last week. Amounts in $K. Plain text.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Including the unsigned deal. The AI adds the $150K to projected closes. Try: Add: "Run rate only; don't include unsigned deals."
- Using only last week. The AI uses 70 from last week (same number here, but the method matters). Try: Add: "Average the last 4 weeks and show the sum."
- Rounding down. The AI writes $85K. Try: Add: "Round needed per week up to the next whole $K."
- Free-form answer. The AI writes a memo. Try: Add: "Exactly 4 numbered lines, plain text."
What a strong prompt includes
- Lists the four lines
- Asks for the average
- Asks for the math
- Sets rounding
- Plain numbered lines
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