Guides › Managing a Team
Weigh up solutions side by side before you recommend one
A fair options comparison with costs, benefits, risks and effort for each, ending in a recommendation you can defend.
When to use it
When you have more than one way to fix a problem
Step by step
Describe the problem and options
Write down the problem, what success looks like, any limits on budget or time, and the options you're considering, including 'do nothing'.
Ask for a structured comparison
Paste this prompt into your AI assistant.
Prompt to copyAct as an experienced management consultant. Problem: [problem]. Success looks like: [goal]. Constraints: [budget, time, people]. Options: [list options, including do nothing]. For each option give: what it involves, rough cost (use my figures where given, otherwise say 'estimate needed'), benefits, risks, effort to put in place, and time to see results. Then score each option 1 to 5 against [criteria, e.g. cost, impact, risk, speed] in a table with weights I can change. Recommend one option, explain why, and say what would change your mind.Check and adjust the scores
Copy the scoring table into Excel or Google Sheets, adjust the weights with your stakeholders and see if the winner changes.
Write the summary
Ask for a half-page summary of the comparison to put at the front of your report.
What you get
Option B, shared inbox with rules: cost low, impact 4/5, risk 2/5, live in 2 weeks. Option C, new ticketing system: cost high, impact 5/5, risk 4/5, 3 months. Weighted scores: A 2.1, B 3.9, C 3.4. Recommend B now and review C next year. Would change: if volume doubles.
Tips
- Ask it to argue against its own recommendation, so you're ready for challenge in the meeting.