Compare Options in a Decision Table
Lay out two or more options side by side against the criteria that matter to you, then get a reasoned recommendation.
Make it yours
Fill in each variable and watch the prompt update. Anything still in {{braces}} needs your input before you use it.
Fill in the blanks
0 of 3 filledThe choices you're comparing (2–4 works best).
Facts about you that affect the decision.
What matters most to you, ideally in priority order.
Help me decide between these options: {{options}}. My situation: {{context}} Compare them in a Markdown table with one row per criterion and one column per option. Use these criteria: {{criteria}}. Add any other criterion you think I've missed, marked with "(suggested)". After the table: - Give a short recommendation for my specific situation and explain the trade-off I'd be accepting. - List anything you're unsure about or that may have changed recently (prices, features, policies) so I know what to double-check. Don't make up exact prices or statistics — if you don't know a figure, write "check current info" in that cell.
Example
Example input
Help me decide between these options: a used hybrid car, a new e-bike, or keeping my monthly transit pass. My situation: I commute 12 km each way in a hilly city, it rains a lot in winter, I have a small budget, and I sometimes need to carry groceries for a family of three. Compare them in a Markdown table with one row per criterion and one column per option. Use these criteria: total monthly cost, commute time, weather comfort, convenience for errands. Add any other criterion you think I've missed, marked with "(suggested)". After the table: - Give a short recommendation for my specific situation and explain the trade-off I'd be accepting. - List anything you're unsure about or that may have changed recently (prices, features, policies) so I know what to double-check. Don't make up exact prices or statistics — if you don't know a figure, write "check current info" in that cell.
Example output
| Criterion | Used hybrid car | New e-bike | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total monthly cost | Highest — loan/insurance/fuel/parking (check current info) | Low after upfront cost | Lowest and predictable |
| Commute time | Fastest door-to-door, unless traffic is heavy | Competitive on 12 km; hills are easy with assist | Depends on route and transfers |
| Weather comfort | Best | Weakest in winter rain | Good, but waiting at stops |
| Errands for 3 | Easy | Limited without a cargo rack | Awkward with heavy bags |
| Maintenance hassle (suggested) | Moderate | Low (battery eventually) | None |
Recommendation: Given a small budget, the e-bike plus occasional grocery delivery or car-share is likely the best balance. The trade-off is getting wet some winter days — rain gear helps but won't make it as comfortable as a car.
Double-check: local insurance and fuel costs, transit fare changes, e-bike subsidies in your area, and whether your workplace has secure bike parking.
Why it works
Giving the model your real constraints turns a generic pros-and-cons list into advice for your situation. Requesting a table keeps the comparison scannable and parallel, and the "check current info" rule stops the model from confidently stating prices it can't actually know.
Techniques used
- Contextual promptingGive the AI the background it can't guess — who you are, your goal, your audience, your constraints — so answers fit your real situation.Learn the technique
- Structured output promptingAsk for answers in a precise format — tables, JSON, CSV, or fixed sections — so results are easy to scan, compare, or reuse.Learn the technique