PROMPT DETAILS Updated 2026-05-17
The Prompt
Write an executive summary of the following document/report.
Target length: [1 paragraph / half page / one page]
Audience: [C-suite / board / investors / cross-functional team]
Structure:
1. **Situation** (1-2 sentences): What prompted this report
2. **Key Findings** (3-5 bullets): Most important discoveries, with numbers
3. **Recommendation** (1-2 sentences): What we should do
4. **Impact** (1 sentence): Expected outcome if recommendation is followed
5. **Next Steps** (2-3 bullets): Immediate actions with owners and deadlines
Rules:
- Lead with the conclusion, not the methodology
- Every number needs context (up/down, vs benchmark, vs last quarter)
- No jargon the audience wouldn't know
- If something is uncertain, say so with confidence intervals
Document:
[PASTE CONTENT]How To Use It
Paste the full report or document. Specify who will read the summary — a board member needs different framing than an engineering director.
Why It Works
Executives don’t read to learn — they read to decide. This prompt structures around decisions (findings → recommendation → impact) rather than narrative (background → analysis → conclusion), which matches how leaders actually process information.
Variations
One-pager:
Turn this 20-page report into a one-page brief. Use: headline finding, 3 supporting points, one chart suggestion, and a decision to make with options.Email-length summary:
Summarize this in 5 sentences max, formatted for an email. The recipient should be able to reply "approved" or ask one clarifying question.Meeting prep brief:
Create a pre-read summary for a meeting about this topic. Include: context (assume they forgot), decision needed, options with trade-offs, and your recommendation.