ChatGPT prompt for problem solving skills

Help me practice structured problem solving on this real situation: [PROBLEM]. The outcome I need is [DESIRED OUTCOME], the constraints are [CONSTRAINTS], and the facts or observations I have are [KNOWN FACTS]. My role, authority, and deadline are [ROLE AND DEADLINE].

Act as a rigorous coach, not as someone who simply hands me an answer. First, restate the problem as a clear problem statement that separates symptoms from the underlying decision. Then guide me through this sequence:
1. Define success: identify 2-4 measurable or observable criteria, including a minimum acceptable outcome and any non-negotiable constraint.
2. Diagnose: create a cause map with plausible hypotheses grouped into people, process, information, incentives, tools, and external factors. Label each hypothesis as supported, uncertain, or contradicted by the facts.
3. Prioritize investigation: recommend the 3 highest-value questions or checks, explaining what each would change and the cheapest reliable way to answer it.
4. Generate options: offer 3 materially different actions, including a low-risk reversible step. For each, list benefits, downsides, resources, dependencies, and likely failure mode.
5. Decide and act: give a decision table against the success criteria, a first 48-hour plan, and a trigger for revisiting the choice.
6. Teach: end with two reasoning habits I should practice in similar situations and one short exercise that asks me to make the next judgment before seeing your example answer.

Do not invent facts or assume I control people, budget, or timing that I have not stated. Treat safety, legal, medical, financial, and employment issues as areas where qualified advice may be needed. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.

Before answering, check for root-cause claims supported only by correlation and for recommendations that violate a stated constraint. Flag both explicitly.

Coach me through a root-cause analysis of [RECURRING ISSUE]. The timeline and evidence are [EVIDENCE], affected groups are [AFFECTED GROUPS], and constraints are [CONSTRAINTS]. Build a fault tree that separates proximate causes from contributing conditions. Ask me 5 sequential diagnostic questions, one at a time, and wait for my answer after each. Then summarize the most supported cause paths, disconfirming evidence to seek, and one containment action. Do not treat a repeated association as proof of cause. Ask up to 3 setup questions only if needed. Check that the containment action does not conceal the evidence.

I need to decide between [OPTION A], [OPTION B], and [OPTION C] for [DECISION]. My priorities are [PRIORITIES], constraints are [CONSTRAINTS], and uncertainty is [UNKNOWN FACTS]. Create a weighted decision framework, but first challenge whether my criteria are independent and complete. Score only what the evidence supports; use ranges or unknown rather than invented numbers. Explain which fact would most change the choice, and give a reversible next move. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if necessary. Check for a criterion counted twice under different names.

Help me run a blameless retrospective for [INCIDENT OR MISS]. The timeline is [TIMELINE], impact was [IMPACT], and existing safeguards are [SAFEGUARDS]. Produce a factual event timeline, contributing-factor analysis, five discussion questions, and 3 corrective actions with owners by role and verification signals. Separate facts, assumptions, and unresolved questions. Do not assign intent or blame without evidence. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if required inputs are missing. Check that each action addresses a contributing condition rather than merely reminding people to be careful.