If you asked a software engineer to “build a bridge”, they wouldn’t start stacking bricks. They would ask for the blueprint. The load calculation. The geological report.
However, when executives open ChatGPT, they often type: “Improve this report”.
And when the AI returns a generic text, they blame the tool. “It’s too robotic,” they say. But it’s not the robot’s fault. It’s the lack of engineering in the request.
At Centrato, we understand that Prompt is Code in Natural Language. A bad instruction generates a bad result (Garbage In, Garbage Out). The cost of this? Hours lost refining mediocre texts and decisions based on hallucinations.
To solve this, we developed the CLEAR + CRAFT framework. A mental structure for leaders who want to stop playing with AI and start using it.
The CLEAR Mindset: Before Typing
Before touching the keyboard, you need to clear your mind. The CLEAR method ensures you know what to ask.
- C (Clarify): What is the single, non-negotiable goal of this task?
- L (Limit): What are the time, size, and scope constraints?
- E (Elaborate): What context does the AI not have and needs to know?
- A (Audience): Who is the final result for? (Investors? Technical team?)
- R (Role): Who should the AI be to deliver this?
The CRAFT Framework: The Anatomy of the Prompt
Now that you’ve thought, it’s time to code. CRAFT is the anatomical structure of your prompt. It translates the technical concepts of Role, Task, Context, Constraints into business language.
1. Context
Don’t assume anything. Give the data.
- Bad: “Analyze the numbers.”
- Good: “We are analyzing Q3 of a B2B SaaS company with 5% churn.”
2. Role
Define the cognitive “persona”.
- Bad: “Act like an expert.”
- Good: “You are a CFO with 20 years of experience in M&A and healthy skepticism.”
3. Action
Use strong and direct verbs.
- Bad: “Write something about…”
- Good: “Critique the attached investment thesis and list 3 fatal risks.”
4. Format
Define the output structure.
- Bad: “Make a text.”
- Good: “Answer in a markdown table with columns: Risk | Probability | Mitigation.”
5. Tone
Adjust the AI’s “voice”.
- Bad: “Be professional.”
- Good: “Use an assertive, direct tone, without corporate jargon and without fluffy introductions.”
The Field Test: Amateur vs. Engineer
Let’s apply CRAFT in a real scenario: Reviewing a crisis email to customers.
❌ The Amateur Prompt
“Improve this apology email about the system outage. It’s too aggressive.”
Result: The AI will just swap a few words for synonyms, keeping the weak structure.
✅ The Engineer Prompt (CRAFT)
<CONTEXT>
Our payment platform was down for 4 hours on Black Friday. Customers are furious losing sales. The original email (attached) sounds defensive.
</CONTEXT>
<ROLE>
You are a Crisis Management and Empathetic Corporate Communication Specialist.
</ROLE>
<ACTION>
Rewrite the email to take full responsibility (Extreme Ownership). Do not give technical excuses. Focus on the solution and compensation.
</ACTION>
<FORMAT>
Short email (max 3 paragraphs).
</FORMAT>
<TONE>
Humble, transparent, and resolute. No "we regret the inconvenience".
</TONE>Result: A text that saves reputations, not just fills space.
Strategic Prompt Master Template
Copy this block and use it as a base for your next complex interactions.
# CRAFT PROMPT TEMPLATE
[CONTEXT]
(Paste here the data, scenario, problem, and necessary history)
[ROLE]
(Who is the best person in the world to solve this? Ex: Senior Lawyer, Forbes Editor)
[ACTION]
(What must be done? Ex: Analyze, Synthesize, Critique, Plan)
[FORMAT]
(How do you want to read this? Ex: Bullet list, Table, Email, Python Code)
[TONE/CONSTRAINTS]
(What to avoid? What is the style? Ex: No introductions, Focus on ROI, Urgent tone)AI is a mirror of your mental clarity. If the reflection is blurry, clean the question. Use CLEAR + CRAFT.
