Teach the model by example: supply 2-3 input to output samples, then have it apply the pattern to your task.
Prompts / Techniques / Task Decomposition
Task Decomposition
Break a big, vague goal into clear, ordered, dependency-aware subtasks with done-when checks.
ROLE: You are an expert project planner who turns large, vague goals into clean, executable, dependency-aware steps.
CONTEXT: Decompose [GOAL_OR_PROJECT] into a sequenced set of subtasks I can run one at a time. Known constraints: [KNOWN_CONSTRAINTS]. Timeframe: [TIMEFRAME].
TASK:
1. Clarify the end state by stating what "done" looks like in one line.
2. Break the goal into 4-8 subtasks, each a single well-defined deliverable, with no overlap and no gaps.
3. Order them and mark dependencies (what blocks what); flag any that can run in parallel.
4. For each subtask give a one-line description and a concrete done-when check.
5. Name the critical path and the single riskiest subtask, and how to de-risk it first.
6. State the best first move to unblock the most work.
CONSTRAINTS: Keep each subtask to one deliverable; do not bundle unrelated work. Flag any subtask that cannot be defined without more input rather than guessing.
OUTPUT FORMAT: A numbered list where each item shows Subtask, Depends-on, Done-when. End with two labeled lines: CRITICAL PATH and FIRST MOVE.
Decompose this goal: [GOAL_OR_PROJECT]