Christian Ullrich
2026-07-06
Problem
You start writing a prompt before you clearly understand what work ChatGPT should support.
Action
Describe the situation that led to the prompt and the work ChatGPT should help you complete.
Outcome
The prompt addresses the actual need rather than a vague request.
Problem
The prompt describes an activity but not the result you expect.
Action
State the concrete result that ChatGPT should produce or help you achieve.
Outcome
The response is focused on the intended outcome.
Problem
The prompt explains what to do but not why it matters.
Action
Distinguish the requested task from the purpose it should serve.
Outcome
ChatGPT can better prioritize its work toward the desired result.
Problem
The prompt tries to solve too many problems at once.
Action
Reduce the prompt to a single coherent objective.
Outcome
The response becomes more focused and reliable.
Problem
You invest time in writing a complex prompt for a simple request.
Action
Decide whether the task requires a structured prompt or a straightforward question.
Outcome
You spend effort only where prompt engineering adds value.
Problem
The prompt contains unnecessary or missing components.
Action
Select only the prompt components that support the current task.
Outcome
The prompt stays complete without becoming unnecessarily complex.
Problem
The prompt presents information in a confusing sequence.
Action
Arrange the components in the order ChatGPT should interpret them.
Outcome
The prompt is easier to understand and follow.
Problem
Reusable instructions are mixed with task-specific information.
Action
Keep permanent instructions separate from information that changes between uses.
Outcome
The prompt becomes easier to reuse and maintain.
Problem
Different parts of the prompt compete with each other.
Action
Review the prompt for contradictory goals, rules, or expectations and remove conflicts.
Outcome
ChatGPT receives one consistent set of instructions.
Problem
The prompt becomes difficult to understand or update over time.
Action
Remove unnecessary complexity while preserving the intended behavior.
Outcome
The prompt remains easy to improve and reuse.
Problem
The result does not meet your expectations, but the reason is unclear.
Action
Describe the specific weakness in the output before changing the prompt.
Outcome
Improvements focus on the actual problem.
Problem
A prompt produces inconsistent results because one instruction is ineffective.
Action
Identify the instruction that most likely caused the undesired behavior.
Outcome
Changes target the real source of the problem.
Problem
Several prompt changes make it impossible to identify what improved the result.
Action
Revise one component of the prompt before testing the prompt again.
Outcome
You understand which changes improve the prompt.
Problem
A revised prompt is accepted without verifying its effect.
Action
Run the updated prompt and compare the new output with the previous result.
Outcome
Prompt improvements are confirmed through use.
Problem
Successful prompt improvements are lost during later revisions.
Action
Save prompt versions that consistently produce useful results.
Outcome
Effective prompts remain available for future work.
Problem
You repeatedly write similar prompts for similar tasks.
Action
Look for prompt patterns that occur across multiple work situations.
Outcome
Repeated work becomes easier to standardize.
Problem
The prompt can only be used for one specific situation.
Action
Replace changing information with clearly identified placeholders.
Outcome
The prompt can be adapted with minimal effort.
Problem
Reusable prompts become inconsistent after repeated modifications.
Action
Keep the proven prompt structure unchanged while updating only the variable parts.
Outcome
The prompt remains reliable across different uses.
Problem
Later users cannot tell when to apply a prompt.
Action
Describe the situations the prompt was designed to support.
Outcome
The prompt is used in the right context.
Problem
A prompt becomes less effective after ChatGPT changes.
Action
Review and adjust the prompt when model behavior noticeably changes.
Outcome
The prompt continues to produce reliable results.
Problem
ChatGPT does not know what final result you expect.
Action
Describe the result that ChatGPT should produce or help you achieve.
Outcome
The response is focused on a clear objective.
Problem
ChatGPT understands the task but not its purpose.
Action
Explain why the requested result is important.
Outcome
ChatGPT can better prioritize its work.
Problem
The expected quality of the result remains unclear.
Action
Describe what a successful result should achieve.
Outcome
The response is aligned with your expectations.
Problem
The prompt contains several goals without indicating their importance.
Action
State which goals take priority if trade-offs become necessary.
Outcome
ChatGPT makes decisions that reflect your priorities.
Problem
The goal contains broad or ambiguous wording.
Action
Replace vague intentions with concrete expectations.
Outcome
The goal becomes easier for ChatGPT to interpret.
Problem
The response uses the wrong language or writing conventions.
Action
Specify the language and language-specific requirements.
Outcome
The response follows the expected language rules.
Problem
ChatGPT uses information that should not be considered.
Action
Define which sources ChatGPT may or may not use.
Outcome
The response is based on the intended information.
Problem
ChatGPT approaches the task in an unsuitable way.
Action
Describe how ChatGPT should think through the task.
Outcome
The reasoning follows your intended approach.
Problem
The writing style does not fit the intended use.
Action
Describe the required writing style and tone.
Outcome
The response matches the expected style.
Problem
ChatGPT behaves differently from what you expect.
Action
State general rules that should guide ChatGPT throughout the conversation.
Outcome
The responses become more consistent.
Problem
ChatGPT approaches the task from the wrong perspective.
Action
Assign the role that best fits the work to be performed.
Outcome
The response reflects the intended perspective.
Problem
The role is too broad to guide ChatGPT effectively.
Action
Describe how the role should approach the task.
Outcome
The role leads to more consistent behavior.
Problem
The assigned role encourages unnecessary assumptions.
Action
Define the responsibilities and limits of the role.
Outcome
The role remains focused on the intended work.
Problem
The assigned role does not support the requested task.
Action
Choose a role that naturally fits the objective.
Outcome
The role improves the quality of the response.
Problem
The role sounds impressive but provides little guidance.
Action
Describe the role through its working behavior rather than its title.
Outcome
The role provides practical direction.
Problem
ChatGPT lacks the information necessary to complete the task.
Action
Provide the background needed to understand the work.
Outcome
The response is based on the correct situation.
Problem
The prompt contains background information that distracts from the task.
Action
Include only context that supports the requested work.
Outcome
ChatGPT focuses on the relevant information.
Problem
Important organizational or technical conditions remain unclear.
Action
Describe the environment in which the result will be used.
Outcome
The response better fits the intended environment.
Problem
Important circumstances are missing from the prompt.
Action
Add conditions that influence how the task should be completed.
Outcome
The response reflects the actual situation.
Problem
The context is too large or poorly organized.
Action
Present the background in a clear and structured way.
Outcome
ChatGPT can use the context more effectively.
Problem
The requested work remains too general.
Action
State exactly what ChatGPT should do.
Outcome
The task is immediately understandable.
Problem
ChatGPT does not know what it should work on.
Action
Identify the document, information, or subject of the task.
Outcome
The task has a clear focus.
Problem
The required activity is open to interpretation.
Action
Use clear action verbs to describe the work.
Outcome
ChatGPT performs the intended activity.
Problem
The task covers more work than intended.
Action
Define the boundaries of the requested work.
Outcome
The response remains focused.
Problem
Multiple unrelated requests compete within the same prompt.
Action
Separate independent tasks into individual requests whenever possible.
Outcome
Each response addresses one clear task.
Problem
The task is too complex to complete reliably in one step.
Action
Divide the work into a logical sequence of activities.
Outcome
ChatGPT can complete the work more systematically.
Problem
The order of work is unclear.
Action
Specify the sequence in which the steps should be completed.
Outcome
The work follows a predictable process.
Problem
Analysis, evaluation, and writing become mixed together.
Action
Assign different thinking activities to separate workflow steps.
Outcome
Each stage receives appropriate attention.
Problem
ChatGPT continues beyond the intended stage of work.
Action
Specify where the workflow should pause or end.
Outcome
You remain in control of the process.
Problem
Important parts of the workflow are ignored.
Action
State that each workflow step should be completed before moving to the next.
Outcome
The process becomes more reliable.
Problem
The response uses the wrong format.
Action
State the type of output you expect.
Outcome
The response matches the intended format.
Problem
The information is difficult to navigate.
Action
Describe how the output should be organized.
Outcome
The response becomes easier to use.
Problem
The response is too brief or unnecessarily detailed.
Action
Describe the expected level of detail.
Outcome
The response fits the intended purpose.
Problem
The presentation does not meet your needs.
Action
Specify formatting requirements that support the intended use.
Outcome
The output is easier to reuse.
Problem
The response requires unnecessary rework before it can be used.
Action
Specify an output that can be used directly in your workflow.
Outcome
The result is immediately usable.
Problem
ChatGPT does not know which information it should rely on.
Action
Specify the documents, files, or other sources that should serve as the basis for the task.
Outcome
The response is grounded in the intended information.
Problem
ChatGPT considers information that is outside the intended scope.
Action
Define which sources may and may not be used.
Outcome
The response remains focused on the relevant material.
Problem
ChatGPT cannot distinguish between instructions and source material.
Action
Clearly separate the information to analyze from the instructions that describe the task.
Outcome
ChatGPT interprets the prompt more reliably.
Problem
Important details from the source material become distorted or omitted.
Action
Instruct ChatGPT to preserve the original meaning unless changes are explicitly requested.
Outcome
The response remains faithful to the source material.
Problem
The available source material is insufficient to complete the task.
Action
Ask ChatGPT to identify missing information instead of making unsupported assumptions.
Outcome
Information gaps become visible before they affect the result.
Problem
Important assumptions remain implicit.
Action
List the assumptions that ChatGPT should use during the task.
Outcome
The reasoning is based on transparent assumptions.
Problem
ChatGPT introduces assumptions without making them visible.
Action
Instruct ChatGPT to explicitly identify any assumptions it makes.
Outcome
Implicit assumptions become easier to review.
Problem
Facts and assumptions become mixed together.
Action
Require ChatGPT to distinguish verified information from assumptions.
Outcome
The response becomes easier to evaluate.
Problem
Uncertain assumptions remain untested.
Action
Ask ChatGPT to question assumptions that significantly influence the result.
Outcome
Weak assumptions are identified before they affect decisions.
Problem
Assumptions remain unchanged after new information becomes available.
Action
Revise the assumptions whenever important information changes.
Outcome
The prompt remains aligned with the current situation.
Problem
ChatGPT does not know which limits must never be exceeded.
Action
Specify the non-negotiable boundaries for the task.
Outcome
The response respects the required limits.
Problem
ChatGPT performs actions that should be avoided.
Action
State which actions, topics, or behaviors are not allowed.
Outcome
The response avoids unwanted behavior.
Problem
The response expands beyond the intended scope.
Action
Define what should be included and what should be left out.
Outcome
The response remains focused.
Problem
Several objectives compete without guidance.
Action
Explain which priorities should take precedence when compromises are necessary.
Outcome
ChatGPT makes decisions that match your priorities.
Problem
The prompt contains expectations that cannot all be fulfilled.
Action
Review the prompt and eliminate conflicting or unrealistic requirements.
Outcome
The prompt becomes achievable.
Problem
ChatGPT does not know what distinguishes a good result.
Action
Describe the qualities the result should demonstrate.
Outcome
The response aligns with your quality expectations.
Problem
Too many quality expectations compete with each other.
Action
Identify the criteria that matter most.
Outcome
ChatGPT focuses on the highest priorities.
Problem
Terms such as “good” or “clear” are open to interpretation.
Action
Replace abstract quality descriptions with concrete expectations.
Outcome
The quality requirements become easier to apply.
Problem
Recurring weaknesses appear in the response.
Action
Include checks that address the most likely quality problems.
Outcome
Common mistakes are reduced.
Problem
The result is accepted without evaluating its quality.
Action
Ask ChatGPT to review the result against the defined quality criteria.
Outcome
The final response better satisfies the intended standards.
Problem
ChatGPT asks unnecessary questions or fails to ask important ones.
Action
Specify when ChatGPT should request clarification before continuing.
Outcome
The conversation becomes more efficient.
Problem
ChatGPT continues beyond the intended scope of the interaction.
Action
Specify when ChatGPT should stop and wait for further instructions.
Outcome
You remain in control of the conversation.
Problem
The interaction does not follow the intended working process.
Action
Define how ChatGPT should proceed through successive iterations.
Outcome
The conversation follows a predictable pattern.
Problem
ChatGPT proceeds without confirming important intermediate results.
Action
Define where ChatGPT should pause for your review or approval.
Outcome
Important decisions remain under your control.
Problem
The conversation gradually drifts away from the original objective.
Action
Instruct ChatGPT to stay focused on the defined task unless directed otherwise.
Outcome
The conversation remains aligned with the intended goal.