Most people are using AI wrongly
The mistake they make is that they begin by asking for a solution. AI will generally return an answer but with a little more detail it could provide a much better response.
You could try to refine your approach by Googling, ‘AI Prompts’, and you will get millions of links to ‘AI Prompt’ articles, lists and courses. Or you could try a Prompt Marketplace.
But there is a much simpler, more universal approach: the CRIT framework.
The CRIT framework was developed by Geoff Woods and features in his book, “The AI-Driven Leader”. CRIT is an acronym for: Context, Role, Interview, Task.
- C – Context: Provide detailed background information about your situation
- R – Role: Assign AI a specific expert role
- I – Interview: Have AI interview you to gain deeper context
- T – Task: Define the specific objective you want AI to help with
C — Context: Set the scene
Start by telling the AI who you are and what you’re trying to do.
Example:
“I’m a marketing manager working for a managed service provider, creating IT-related articles that are of interest to our potential clients, small and medium-sized businesses. I am also responsible for PR, website development, newsletters and social media posting. I want to produce content that is interesting, different and very practical.”
That one paragraph gives AI a ton of signals: my goals, audience and tasks. More detail = better results.
R — Role: Assign the AI a job
Next, tell the AI who it should be in this conversation.
Example:
“You are an IT expert who is able to explain technical concepts in language that a non-technical person would understand. You typically use analogies and metaphors. You should set answers in the context of how this specific technology can benefit small and medium-sized businesses. Your tone should be conversational with some humour..”
This step upgrades AI from a glorified autocomplete to a strategic thought partner.
I — Interview: Let it dig deeper
Before jumping to the task, ask the AI to ask you some questions first.
Example:
“Ask me no more than three questions, one at a time, to clarify what I’m trying to achieve.”
These are the questions ChatGPT-4o asked me:
- What specific IT services or solutions does your managed service provider offer that you’d like to highlight in your content?
- What are some common challenges or pain points that your small and medium-sized business clients face with IT?
- Are there any specific tone or style preferences for your content? For instance, do you aim for it to be more educational, humorous, storytelling-focused, or something else?
This back-and-forth helps the AI (and you) get to the heart of what matters. It’s also where some of the best thinking happens.
As Geoff Woods says:
“The fundamental difference here is, you stop asking AI questions and you start getting it to interview you,”
T — Task: Now it’s time to assign the work
Once you’ve gone through the context, role, and interview, you’re ready for the task. Keep it tight, clear, and a little uncomfortable.
Example:
“Based on our conversation, give me three non-obvious actions I can take to strengthen my content business strategy. Make them surprising but realistic.”
Notice: you’re not just asking AI to generate content — you’re asking it to think with you.
Geoff Woods recommends sticking a post-it next to your screen with the CRIT framework on it.
If you would like to understand more about the approach, here’s a YouTube video with Geoff Woods: