Pre-mortem for a plan
Model notes: Any model
Fill in the variables (optional — they're inserted live below):
Here's my plan: {{plan}}
Imagine it's {{timeframe}} from now and the plan has clearly failed. Write the most likely story of why.
Then:
1. List 8 distinct causes of failure, covering people, money, timing, technical problems, competition and my own assumptions.
2. Rate each for likelihood and impact (low / medium / high).
3. For the top 3, give an early warning sign I can watch for and a cheap step I can take now to reduce the risk.
4. Name the single assumption that, if wrong, sinks everything, and the fastest way to test it.
Be blunt. Don't soften it to be encouraging.
How to use it
- Fill the variables above, or replace each
{{variable}}after pasting. - Paste into your AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Cursor, Claude Code, or a local model in Ollama/LM Studio).
- Review the output. Models make mistakes, especially with facts, numbers and code.
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Literature/market scan with citations
Needs browsing
Variables: topicdate
Give me a concise overview of {{topic}} as of {{date}}.
Structure: 1) What it is (3 sentences). 2) Key players/approaches with one line each. 3) What changed in the last 12 months. 4) Open debates. 5) 5 best sources to read next, with why.
Cite every factual claim with a link. If you can't browse, say so up front and mark anything that may be outdated. Give me a concise overview of {{topic}} as of {{date}}.
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Cite every factual claim with a link. If you can't browse, say so up front and mark anything that may be outdated.
Open & fill variables: Literature/market scan with citations → Research
Steelman both sides
Any model
Variables: question
Topic/decision: {{question}}
Give me the strongest possible case FOR, then the strongest case AGAINST, as a thoughtful expert on each side would argue it. Then list the 3 facts that, if I found them out, would most change the answer, and how I could find each one out. Topic/decision: {{question}}
Give me the strongest possible case FOR, then the strongest case AGAINST, as a thoughtful expert on each side would argue it. Then list the 3 facts that, if I found them out, would most change the answer, and how I could find each one out.
Open & fill variables: Steelman both sides → Research
Summarise a long document for decisions
Use a long-context model
Variables: decisiondocument
Summarise the document below for someone who must make a decision about {{decision}}.
Output:
- TL;DR (3 bullets)
- Key facts and numbers (with section/page references)
- Risks, caveats and anything buried in footnotes
- What the document does NOT say that I'd need to know
- Recommended next questions
Quote exact wording for anything legally or financially important.
Document:
{{document}} Summarise the document below for someone who must make a decision about {{decision}}.
Output:
- TL;DR (3 bullets)
- Key facts and numbers (with section/page references)
- Risks, caveats and anything buried in footnotes
- What the document does NOT say that I'd need to know
- Recommended next questions
Quote exact wording for anything legally or financially important.
Document:
{{document}}
Open & fill variables: Summarise a long document for decisions → New prompts every week
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