Task, Audience, Context, Constraints, and Format

Unit ID: AIT-M02-U01 Estimated active time: 20-25 minutes

The prompt brief

A prompt brief is a short plan before you ask an AI tool for help.

It has five main parts:

1. Task.
2. Audience.
3. Context.
4. Constraints.
5. Format.

You can add review criteria too. That makes the output easier to check.

Task

The task says what you want help with.

Examples:

• Draft a polite follow-up email.
• Create a five-point checklist.
• Summarise the main ideas.
• Turn rough notes into an outline.
• Suggest questions for a meeting.

Use a verb. The tool needs to know what action to take.

Audience

The audience says who the output is for.

Examples:

• a beginner learner;
• a busy manager;
• a project team;
• a customer;
• yourself;
• a workshop participant.

Audience changes tone, length, and explanation level.

Context

Context gives safe background.

Useful context may include:

• purpose;
• situation;
• important facts;
• deadline;
• relationship to the reader;
• what has already happened.

Do not include private, confidential, or sensitive information unless you are using an approved tool and have permission.

Constraints

Constraints tell the tool what to avoid or limit.

Examples:

• Keep it under 150 words.
• Use simple English.
• Do not invent facts.
• Do not mention prices.
• Ask questions if information is missing.
• List assumptions separately.

Constraints are useful because they reduce unwanted output.

Format

Format tells the tool what shape the answer should have.

Examples:

• email draft;
• bullet summary;
• action list;
• table;
• slide outline;
• checklist;
• questions to ask next.

If you know the format, say it.

Review criteria

Review criteria tell you how to judge the output.

Examples:

• Is it accurate?
• Is it short enough?
• Does it match the reader?
• Does it avoid unsupported claims?
• Does it protect private information?
• Does it include a clear next step?

Example prompt brief

Task:

Draft a follow-up email.

Audience:

A small internal project team.

Context:

The meeting discussed next steps for a safe sample project. I need to confirm actions and invite corrections.

Constraints:

Keep it under 150 words. Use a friendly professional tone. Do not invent deadlines or names.

Format:

Email with greeting, short summary, action list, and closing sentence.

Review criteria:

I will check actions, tone, missing people, and any invented details.

Quick practice

Choose one safe task from Module 1.

Fill in:

• Task:
• Audience:
• Context:
• Constraints:
• Format:
• Review criteria: