Briefing AI properly

Define success before writing the prompt #

A useful brief explains what you need, who it serves and what information the answer should rely on. Replace vague requests such as “make this better” with a concrete outcome.

• Task and purpose: what should change?
• Audience: who will read or use the result?
• Context: which approved facts matter?
• Constraints: scope, length, tone and exclusions.
• Output and review: format and acceptance criteria.

A worked example: a project update #

“Write a project update” leaves the audience, evidence and desired decision unclear. The revised brief below gives those choices a useful shape.

Using the approved notes below, write a 200-word update for our project sponsor.
Include progress, unresolved risks and decisions needed this week.
Use plain language and distinguish confirmed facts from estimates.
Do not invent dates or commitments. Flag missing information.

Approved notes: [insert permitted source material]

Revise the brief using what you learn #

Check the result against the criteria. If the response misses the task, identify whether the problem was missing information, an unclear instruction or an incorrect answer. Improve the relevant part and compare again.