A simple framework for better AI prompts: CRIQ
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are getting better and better at assisting us in a variety of business-related tasks, including Product Management. To get the most out of AI, you need to write good prompts, but some good news here: you don’t need some intimidating level of so-called ‘prompt engineering’ skills. Here is a straightforward framework for better AI prompts we call the CRIQ framework: Context, Role, Instructions, Questions.
1. Context
Give the AI some context and background information: What type of business, product, and/or function you are working in, and the goal of your product, project, team or organization.
Example:
I work at a company called ACME and we are developing a new mobile application named Meal Magic. This is the problem we want to solve: Planning meals is stressful and shopping for food is time-consuming. People want to a weekly meal plan without needing to spend much time our thought on it, and they want it to match their food and dietary preferences. They want to be able to easily and quickly shop for all the food and ingredients needed when shopping.
2. Role
Tell the AI what role you want it to play and what expertise it should leverage.
Example:
You should act as an expert product manager with experience developing consumer-facing mobile applications and a deep understanding of meal planning and grocery fulfillment domains.
3. Instructions
Give the AI specific, detailed instructions on the task you want it to complete for you.
Example:
I want you to generate a product vision statement using the elevator pitch format for this new product.
4 Questions
Flip the script: tell the AI to ask YOU questions so it can complete the instructions more effectively.
Example:
Before generating, please ask me 2 questions to help you complete this task.
Here is the final prompt using all four parts above:
I work at a company called ACME and we are developing a new mobile application named Meal Magic. This is the problem we want to solve: Planning meals is stressful and shopping for food is time-consuming. People want to a weekly meal plan without needing to spend much time our thought on it, and they want it to match their food and dietary preferences. They want to be able to easily and quickly shop for all the food and ingredients needed when shopping. You should act as an expert product manager with experience developing consumer-facing mobile applications and a deep understanding of meal planning and grocery fulfillment domains. I want you to generate a product vision statement using the elevator pitch format for this new product. Before generating, please ask me 2 questions to help you complete this task.
Here is the first part of the AI response asking two questions (using ChatGPT 4o model).
1. Target Customer:
Who is your primary target user for Meal Magic — for example, busy professionals, families, fitness enthusiasts, people with specific diets (e.g., vegan, keto), or another group?
2. Unique Differentiation:
What will make Meal Magic distinct from existing meal planning and grocery shopping apps (like Mealime, Yummly, Instacart, etc.)? (e.g., smarter personalization, faster planning, better grocery integration, budget-friendliness, broader dietary coverage, etc.)
After answering these 2 questions, ChatGPT offered me two versions of the elevator pitch that I could compare and contrast.
Option 1: Clean and Professional
For busy families who find meal planning stressful and grocery shopping time-consuming,
Meal Magic is a mobile app that provides effortless weekly meal plans tailored to each family’s food preferences and dietary needs.
Unlike other meal planning or grocery apps,
our product combines smart personalization that continually learns family tastes with seamless grocery integration, making it fast and easy to shop for exactly what’s needed — saving families time, stress, and dinnertime frustration.
Option 2: Warm and Relatable (Slightly More Human-Centered)
For busy families juggling school, work, and everything in between,
Meal Magic is the simple way to take meal planning and grocery shopping off their plate.
Unlike one-size-fits-all meal apps,
Meal Magic learns what your family loves and plans weekly meals around your real preferences — then makes shopping a breeze with smart, connected grocery lists.
Stress less, eat better, and get time back for what matters most.
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Image generated by ChatGPT