Most business communication requires structure — tables, matrices, scorecards, frameworks, and formatted reports. Yet most people prompt AI for free-form text and then spend time reformatting it. Prompt engineering for structured outputs means getting the right format from the start.
Create a table with these columns: Feature | Option A | Option B | Option C | Winner Include 8 rows comparing [specific features]. For each cell, provide a brief (5-10 word) assessment. Add a final "Total Score" row.
Output as a markdown table. Use pipes (|) and dashes (-) for formatting. Example:
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Data Data Data
Create a 2-level table for our project timeline: Level 1: Phase name (row spanning all columns) Level 2: Individual tasks within each phase Columns: Task | Owner | Start Date | End Date | Status | Dependencies Phases: Planning, Development, Testing, Deployment
Create a weighted decision matrix for selecting an AI training provider. Criteria (with weights):
- Customisation capability (25%)
- Trainer expertise (20%)
- HRDF/SSG registration (15%)
- Post-training support (15%)
- Price (15%)
- Client references (10%)
Evaluate Provider A, B, and C. For each: score 1-5, calculate weighted score, and determine overall winner.
Create a pros/cons comparison for 3 options: Option A: Build in-house AI capability Option B: Partner with AI consulting firm Option C: Hybrid (train team + consulting for complex projects) For each option, list exactly 5 pros and 5 cons. Rate each pro/con as High/Medium/Low impact.
Conduct a SWOT analysis for [subject]. Format as a 2x2 grid:
Helpful Harmful Internal Strengths (5 items) Weaknesses (5 items) External Opportunities (5 items) Threats (5 items) For each item, provide a 1-sentence explanation and rate its significance (High/Medium/Low).
Create a RACI matrix for our AI training rollout project. Roles across the top: CEO, HR Director, IT Manager, Training Provider, Department Heads. Tasks down the side (list 10 key tasks). For each cell: R (Responsible), A (Accountable), C (Consulted), I (Informed), or blank.
Create a risk register for [project] with these columns: Risk ID | Description | Category | Likelihood (1-5) | Impact (1-5) | Risk Score | Mitigation Strategy | Owner | Status Include 10-15 risks, sorted by risk score (highest first).
Design a monthly KPI scorecard for the HR department. Format: Table with columns: KPI Name | Target | Actual | Variance | Status (🟢🟡🔴) | Trend (↑↓→) Include 12 KPIs covering: recruitment (4), retention (3), L&D (3), compliance (2).
Design a weekly operations dashboard. Include:
- Header: period, prepared by, distribution list
- Summary metrics (6 tiles with: metric name, current value, target, trend)
- Detailed table (15 KPIs with RAG status)
- Top 3 issues requiring attention (format: issue, impact, action, owner)
- Upcoming milestones (next 2 weeks)
Create a checklist for organising a corporate AI training workshop. Format:
- Task description (Owner) — Deadline Organise into phases: 4 weeks before, 2 weeks before, 1 week before, day of, day after. Include at least 30 items.
Create a data privacy compliance checklist for a Singapore company using AI tools. Format: Category → Requirement → Compliance Status (Yes/No/Partial) → Evidence Required → Notes Categories: Consent, Data Collection, Storage, Processing, Transfer, Breach Response.
Explicitly define the table structure: specify column headers, describe what goes in each cell, and request markdown table format. Provide an example row if the structure is complex. Always set constraints on cell content length. For multi-level tables, describe the hierarchy clearly.
Yes. Provide the criteria with weights, the options to evaluate, and the scoring scale. Ask for individual scores, weighted scores, and an overall recommendation. The output works well in table format. Always specify that you want the scoring methodology shown.
The best format depends on the purpose: tables for comparisons, matrices for decisions, checklists for processes, scorecards for tracking, and frameworks (SWOT, RACI) for analysis. Always specify the exact format in your prompt rather than leaving it to the AI to choose.
