Turn a password policy into five plain-language rules

About this exercise

Turn IT's password policy into a printed sheet for the front office. Write exactly 5 numbered 'do' rules, each under 15 words, starting with a verb and speaking to the reader as 'you'. Use only the current version of the policy and no technical terms (no MFA, entropy, credential or authentication). Plain text, under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Using the old version. The AI keeps the 90-day change rule because most policies it has seen include it. Try: Say: "Use only the current v3 rules. The 90-day change was removed."
• Keeping IT's words. The AI copies terms like 'credentials' and 'MFA' that front office staff skip. Try: Add: "No technical terms. Start each rule with a verb, speaking to 'you'."
• Generic advice. The AI writes 'use a password manager' instead of naming the one you have. Try: Ask: "Name our tools and the help desk extension."
• Too much on the sheet. The AI includes every section, even the IT-only appendix. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 5 numbered rules, each under 15 words."
• Letting markdown in. AI adds bold and headings by default, and in a printed sheet they show up as stray symbols. Try: Add: "Plain text only, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says who it's for
• Uses the current version
• Bans jargon
• Says exactly how many
• Asks for plain text

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