Start with the outcome
The strongest prompts start with the result you want, not just the topic.
Instead of:
- “Help me with onboarding”
Try:
- “Create a one-page onboarding checklist for new customers.”
- “Summarize our onboarding flow in five bullets for leadership.”
Use a simple prompt structure
You can improve most prompts by including four parts:
- Goal: what you want to produce
- Context: files, connected apps, or background information to use
- Audience: who the result is for
- Format: checklist, table, summary, story, email draft, and so on
Example:
Summarize this requirements document for our product team. Focus on open risks and return the result as a table with owner suggestions.
Tell VDF AI where to look
If the workspace has connected apps, say which source matters.
Examples:
- “Use the Jira backlog for the context.”
- “Search Confluence for the current onboarding policy.”
- “Compare the attached file with the version in Drive.”
This usually produces better results than a broad request with no source.
Ask for the format you need
Many weak outputs come from missing format instructions. Be explicit when the result needs structure.
Useful formats include:
- bullet summary
- checklist
- comparison table
- user story with acceptance criteria
- action list grouped by owner
- short email draft
Use follow-up prompts instead of starting over
If the first result is close, refine it:
- “Shorten this to one page.”
- “Rewrite this for non-technical readers.”
- “Turn the summary into an action list.”
- “Add missing risks and dependencies.”
Product-specific prompt ideas
VDF AI Chat
- “Summarize this file and extract action items.”
- “Prepare talking points for tomorrow’s customer meeting.”
- “Compare these two documents and list the differences.”
VDF AI Agents
- “Draft a user story for this feature and propose acceptance criteria.”
- “Refine these backlog items and flag missing details.”
VDF AI Networks
- “Create a multi-step plan that reviews the backlog, finds gaps, and returns a prioritized summary.”
VDF AI Data
- “Search our docs for references to onboarding and turn them into a quick-start guide.”
Connected-app prompt ideas
- Jira: “Review our sprint backlog and suggest the top priorities.”
- Google: “Find the latest requirements file in Drive and summarize the risks.”
- Confluence: “Search Confluence for our release checklist and shorten it.”
- Zoom: “Turn yesterday’s meeting summary into next steps.”
Common prompt problems
The answer is too generic
Add the source, audience, and format.
The answer is too long
Set a limit such as “five bullets,” “one page,” or “under 200 words.”
The answer misses key context
Attach the file, name the connected app, or reference the specific system the answer should use.
The output is useful but not actionable
Ask VDF AI to turn it into a checklist, table, or next-step plan.