Better AI answers: give it context, a task and a format

AI tools like Claude and Copilot give much better answers when you tell them more. A good request has three parts.

The recipe

1. Context: who you are, who it's for and any background. “I manage a team of six. This is for new starters in their first week.”
2. Task: exactly what you want. “Write a checklist of the IT things they need to set up.”
3. Format: how you want it. “A numbered list, under 150 words, in plain language.”

Make it even better

• Give it an example of what good looks like.
• Attach the document instead of describing it.
• Ask follow-ups such as “make it shorter” or “more formal,” rather than starting again.
• Ask it to ask you questions first: “Before you start, what else do you need to know?”

Remember: use only your approved AI tools for work, and check the answer before you use it.