Programme pause / close decision brief
When to use: when a programme's numbers are consistently below plan and the honest conversation is due. How to use: give AI the data (never named participants) and ask for a decision brief.
Higher-risk prompt — human review is required before you act on the output.
This prompt touches safeguarding, wellbeing, funding claims or public communications. Verify facts, remove personal details and check with a colleague before using the result.
When to use this prompt
Reach for this prompt when you need to when to use: when a programme's numbers are consistently below plan and the honest conversation is due. How to use: give AI the data (never named participants) and ask for a decision brief. It's designed for Programme Manager, CEO. Typically used within Evaluation work.
Not suitable for real-time decisions about individuals, safeguarding cases, or public claims without human sign-off.
How to use it
- 1
Gather your inputs
Have your local context, audience and goal to hand. - 2
Fill in the template
Copy the template below and replace every bracketed placeholder with real, local context. Keep names and safeguarding details out. - 3
Run it in your AI tool
Paste into your preferred AI assistant. Ask a follow-up if the output misses your association's tone or context. - 4
Review with the checklist
Work through the human-review checklist below before you send, publish or act on the output.
Prefer a guided flow? Adapt with the guided builder — it fills placeholders from your association profile.
Prompt template
Produce a decision brief on whether to pause or close {PROGRAMME}. Data: {ANONYMISED_DATA}. Assess: are we serving the intended participants, are we achieving outcomes, is the unit cost sustainable, is there a mission cost of continuing, is there a mission cost of closing. Recommend: continue as-is / refocus / pause / close. Give the strongest counter-argument to your own recommendation.Replace bracketed placeholders with real context. Never paste identifying details about children, health or safeguarding cases.
Worked example
Data: 18 months, 40% enrolment vs plan, outcome achievement 30%
What good output looks like
A decision brief with recommendation and self-critique.
Why this prompt works
Forces an honest look at underperforming programmes before sunk cost takes over.
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