AI & Automation
Running an AI-assisted pros-and-cons analysis
A practical guide to using an AI tool for a real decision: define the choice, generate and weigh considerations, then test the result before acting. One worked example shows how each step changes the outcome.
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Step one: frame the decision precisely
Start by writing the choice as a specific question with named options, a deadline and what matters most. Example: a small design studio asks whether to hire a full-time designer or keep using freelancers for the next year. Add constraints such as a fixed budget, steady versus uneven workload and the need for consistent quality. A vague prompt produces generic lists, while a framed one produces considerations tied to the situation. Also state what you already lean toward, so the assistant can challenge that leaning rather than quietly agreeing with it.
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Step two: generate, group and weight factors
Ask the assistant for pros and cons for each option, then group them into themes such as cost, flexibility, quality and management time. In the studio example, the themes might show that a hire improves consistency but raises fixed costs, while freelancers cost more per hour yet flex with demand. Next assign weights yourself, perhaps from one to five, reflecting your priorities. The tool can suggest weights, but the person owns them. Ask it to point out missing factors, such as onboarding time or the risk of losing a key freelancer.
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Step three: stress-test and decide with review
Before acting, ask the assistant to argue against the leading option, and to name which assumptions would have to be wrong for the answer to flip. For the studio, that might be a forecast of fewer projects next quarter. Verify any figures it used against your own records, and run the conclusion past a colleague or advisor. Then write down the decision, the reasons and a date to revisit it. The output is an input to judgment, not a replacement, and a short review note makes future decisions faster.