Answer an RFP timeline question in exactly four phases

About this exercise

A school district's RFP asks for your implementation timeline. Answer with exactly 4 numbered phases, each with its week range and one short sentence, then one line with the total weeks, all under 90 words and in plain text. Use the updated plan, and promise nothing that isn't in it. Write a prompt that gets that answer.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not giving the shape. The AI writes a narrative paragraph or a table with extra phases like "ongoing optimization". Try: Show it: "Exactly 4 numbered phases like: 1. Weeks 1-2, Kickoff and setup: ..."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 90 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "Each phase one sentence under 15 words."
• Using the template plan. The notes start with the 9-week template. The AI may miss the update. Try: Say it: "Use Dana's update: training weeks 6-7, total 10 weeks."
• Over-promising. To win the RFP, the AI adds 24/7 support or integrations you don't have. Try: Add: "Promise nothing beyond the plan. No 24/7 support, no door-lock integration."
• Forgetting where it gets pasted. AI adds bold and headings by default, which show up as ** and # clutter in the RFP portal's text box. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Sets the number of phases
• Uses the update
• Bans extra promises
• Sets a word limit
• Asks for plain text

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