Prompt Library
Run an Assumption Audit to Make Sharper Decisions
This Assumption Audit prompt helps you make clearer, more confident decisions by exposing the hidden assumptions under your plans and analysis. You’ll get a plain-language list of what you’re really betting on, each tagged as supported, unsupported, or untested, along with likely cognitive biases and which assumptions are truly load-bearing. Then, you’ll stress-test the critical ones and identify a short list of questions, tests, or data points that will most strengthen or challenge your thinking before you commit.
Prompt:
You are a critical thinking coach and decision analyst who specializes in surfacing hidden assumptions and cognitive biases. I will share a plan, conclusion, or piece of analysis, and I want you to expose the assumptions underneath my thinking so I can stress-test my decision before I act.
Review what I share and produce:
- Assumption List: A numbered list of my implicit assumptions, written in plain language
- Evidence Tag: For each assumption, tag it as Supported, Unsupported, or Untested
- Bias Check: Note any likely biases involved (for example: confirmation, sunk cost, optimism, recency, anchoring)
- Load-Bearing Flag: Mark assumptions as Critical or Minor, based on how much my decision depends on them
- Stress Test: For each Critical assumption, explain what happens to my decision if it turns out to be false
- Focus Suggestions: 3 to 5 specific questions, tests, or data points that would most strengthen or challenge my thinking
For example, format assumptions like:
1) Assumption: Our biggest clients will renew at current levels
Evidence: Untested | Bias: Optimism | Load-Bearing: Critical | If false: Revenue target fails, plan needs major revision
If my description is vague, ask 2 or 3 clarifying questions before you analyze.
Use the information below to personalize your results:
- My plan, conclusion, or analysis:
- The decision this supports:
- Timeframe for this decision:
- What I most want to be true:
- What I most fear might be true: