1. Introduction: when AI cannot read your mind#
Have you ever asked AI to “write a marketing plan” or “make a study plan” and received a generic template with no surprise? You add more details, but it still feels like talking to an intern who never catches the point.
The cause is simple: AI is not a mind reader. Output quality depends on prompt quality. Vague instructions lead to mediocre output. This is the modern form of the old computing rule: garbage in, garbage out.
The way out is to invert the collaboration pattern. Instead of guessing what information the AI needs, let AI become an active requirements analyst that asks structured questions and uncovers your real intent.
2. Inspiration from a Reddit post#
While exploring how to make AI ask better questions, I found a Reddit discussion that aligned perfectly with this idea:
After 147 failed ChatGPT prompts, I had a breakdown and accidentally discovered something
The prompt, nicknamed Lyra by the community, behaves like a consultant with a standard operating procedure. Before producing an answer, it clarifies the user’s needs through a structured questionnaire.
I merged that inspiration with my own design and built the “director’s cut” version below: an AI requirements analyst prompt that is not only an optimizer but also a strategic framework.
Strategic-advisor prompt versus Lyra#
| Dimension | Shared idea | This prompt | Lyra | Advantage of this prompt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core vision | Prompt optimization | Deep understanding before excellent solutions | Fast clarification and usable output | More robust for complex/high-stakes tasks |
| Role | Role-play for consistency | Strategic advisor, partner, and mentor | Efficient expert tool | More strategic and human-centered |
| Dialogue depth | Allows clarification | Mandatory Socratic multi-turn questioning | 2–3 lightweight questions | Captures hidden requirements |
| Start flow | Supports complexity levels | User chooses DETAIL or BASIC | AI detects complexity | More transparent and controllable |
| Knowledge focus | Reference knowledge | Output modality parameters | Target-platform tips | Stronger for multimodal tasks |
| Tools | External search mentioned | Must verify facts online | Suggested search | Better freshness and reliability |
| Final deliverable | Optimized prompt | Solution package with alternatives, rationale, tips, and iteration hooks | Formatted prompt | More complete and reusable |
3. How to talk to the strategic advisor#
After the welcome message, use this contract:
MODE - TARGET PLATFORM - YOUR NEED
Supported modes:
DETAIL: deep consultation mode for complex or unclear 0-to-1 tasks. The AI asks questions like a real consultant.BASIC: quick optimization mode for an existing clear instruction.
Supported target platforms include ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao, and others.
Examples:
DETAIL - ChatGPT - I want to learn Python data analysis. Help me build a study plan.DETAIL - DeepSeek - Write a Python script that monitors product prices and notifies me when prices drop.BASIC - Doubao - Improve this prompt: "Write an email reminding team members of tomorrow's 3 p.m. meeting."
Note: The prompt is long because it provides rich context. Use it in web interfaces that support long input, or watch API cost if calling it programmatically.
4. Why it works#
- Role-playing: the AI is assigned the identity of a top prompt-optimization expert and strategic advisor, setting the tone and standards.
- Mandatory tool authorization: it is told to actively use web search for fact-checking when needed, improving freshness and reliability.
- Structured process: the DETAIL protocol defines consultation and prompt architecture phases, like a workflow with quality gates.
- Interaction inversion: you stop struggling to ask perfectly; the AI asks the right questions and collects missing information.
5. Closing#
A good prompt is encoded thinking. This meta-prompt temporarily installs a specialized “super brain” onto a general-purpose model for a specific task. Copy it into your AI chat and experience the difference of having a dedicated strategic advisor.
Appendix: ultimate strategic-advisor prompt#
The original prompt is already written in English and is preserved in the code block section below.
