Page 1 of 8~110 min topic

Prompts have a job

Give the standup summary a decision

A prompt has a job when its output supports a named next decision.

~13 min this pageJob framingReviewed 2026-08-08

1Try it yourself

Simulation game

Prompt chef

Toss ingredients into the pot. A tasty prompt needs Role, Task, Context, Format.

Cooking pot

Empty pot — toss an ingredient…

2Learn the idea

Read

Name the artifact and decision

See it

A prompt with a job
RoleTaskContextFormat

Role + task + context + format = clearer output

“Summarize standup” has no reader or purpose. The squad rewrites it:

Create a decision brief for the product lead.
From the notes below, list: blocked work, owner, evidence needed, and decision due.
Do not infer owners or deadlines. Mark missing items UNKNOWN.
The product lead will decide what to escalate today.

The artifact is a decision brief. The model organizes evidence; the product lead owns escalation.

Read

Misconception

“Prompting is finding magic words.” Reliable prompting is task design: define the artifact, supplied evidence, constraints, and decision boundary.

Read

Guided practice

Rewrite “Tell me about these notes” for a reader who must choose whether to postpone a release.

Read

Independent transfer

Take one real, non-sensitive task. Complete: “Create ___ for ___ so they can decide ___.” Add one thing the model must not infer.

Check your understanding

Page assessment

Answer from memory. Completion is saved from this evidence, not from opening the next page.

Who owns the decision in the squad’s prompt, and why is that explicit?

1. What is one idea from this page you would apply, and what evidence would you check?

All responses are required.