The difference between a mediocre AI response and a brilliant one usually comes down to how you structure the prompt. These eight frameworks give you a repeatable system.
R-T-F (Role, Task, Format)
The simplest framework. Specify the role, task, and output format.
Act as a brand strategist. Write a messaging hierarchy for a B2B SaaS founder targeting finance teams. Use bullet points with core message, value props, proof, and CTAs.
S-O-L-V-E (Situation, Objective, Limitations, Vision, Execution)
Great for strategic planning. Define where you are, what you want, what constraints exist, where you want to end up, and how to get there.
Situation: At a startup that just launched a new B2B product. Objective: Generate qualified inbound leads through educational content on LinkedIn. Limitations: No ad spend. Small team. Must publish 3x/week. Vision: Become the go-to thought leader for mid-market SaaS operations leaders. Execution: Review performance biweekly and double down on top-performing content.
T-A-G (Task, Action, Goal)
Cut to the chase. Define the task, state the action, clarify the goal.
Task: Reduce customer churn in a SaaS subscription business. Action: Analyse churn data and launch a targeted retention programme. Goal: Improve customer retention rate by 15% over the next 6 months.
R-A-C-E (Role, Action, Context, Expectation)
Ideal for complex business prompts.
Role: Senior marketing strategist. Action: Develop a content marketing plan. Context: B2B SaaS company targeting mid-market operations teams. Expectation: Tailored to buyer roles (Ops Lead, CTO, Procurement).
D-R-E-A-M (Define, Research, Execute, Analyse, Measure)
A full project lifecycle in one prompt.
Define: Declining retention in a B2B SaaS product. Research: Through user interviews and CRM data. Execute: Launch a 3-month retention programme with onboarding improvements. Analyse: Compare behaviour between control and test cohorts. Measure: Track churn rate, product usage frequency, and NPS.
P-A-C-T (Problem, Approach, Compromise, Test)
Perfect for decision-making with trade-offs.
C-A-R-E (Context, Action, Result, Example)
Provide context, describe needs, clarify results, give examples.
Context: Engagement with its onboarding flow. Action: Redesign the onboarding journey to focus on quick wins and key features. Result: Higher product adoption within the first 7 days. Example: Show how the revised onboarding helped increase day-7 activation from 25% to 42%.
R-I-S-E (Role, Input, Steps, Expectation)
Great for data-driven tasks.
Role: Commercial director. Input: Quarterly sales performance data and pipeline forecasts. Steps: Identify weak points, prioritise high-conversion leads, and optimise resource allocation. Expectation: Deliver a plan to exceed revenue targets in the next quarter.
Quick Decision Guide
Simple tasks → R-T-F or T-A-G. Strategic work → S-O-L-V-E or D-R-E-A-M. Business prompts → R-A-C-E.
