You ask AI how to approach a project. The answer makes sense. Before acting on it, you need to know which details are correct and what the plan assumes. A practical example shows how to check.
The illustration connects an open question to a check mark.
Imagine you want to update your company’s website. You describe what it needs to cover and ask AI to suggest a plan. It lists the tasks in a sensible order. You could share it with your team now. First, take a closer look: does AI know who will write the copy, supply the images and approve the finished pages?
What does the plan assume?
Perhaps the plan calls for finished copy before anyone designs the pages. That makes sense if you already know what you want to say. It may be less useful if you are still discussing your offer or audience. The order depends on an assumption your question may not have addressed.
Work through the plan and ask what each task needs before it can begin. Note which details you supplied and which are still missing. You can ask AI to list its assumptions. Check whether they fit your company with the people who know the work.
Checking the proposed plan
01
What does it assume?
The copy needs to be ready. Have you agreed what the website should say?
02
What can you confirm?
Images and copy need to arrive on time. Check with the people responsible.
03
What if it is wrong?
You want to commit to a launch date. First, confirm that your team can follow the plan.
The graphic uses the website example. How carefully you need to check also depends on what you intend to do with the answer.
Which details can you verify?
Next, check the details the plan relies on. Can you use the existing images on the new website? Can the people responsible deliver the copy by the proposed date? Look at the available records and talk to your team. Another AI answer does not confirm those details.
A project may have several reasonable approaches. Ask why the plan puts the tasks in that order. Why should the copy be ready first? What would be delayed if you took a different approach? Check whether the explanation reflects the dependencies in your work. This helps you see which parts of the plan you can use and where your team needs to think further.
What happens if you are wrong?
If you discuss the plan with your team first, everyone can help fill in the missing details. If you commit to a launch date based on it, other people will rely on that promise. Check with them first whether the tasks and dates are realistic. Consider who would be affected by an error and what you could change later.
You can move forward once you have checked the important assumptions and can say what remains unresolved. Share those open questions with the plan. Your team can then see what it can rely on and what still needs attention. You make the decision to use the plan. Checking it is part of your work with AI.