Unit Title: From First Draft to Repeatable Excellence
Level: Advanced
Duration: 120–150 minutes (flexibly split over multiple sessions)
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, you should be able to:
- Develop test methods for your AI workflows.
- Apply prompt iteration and versioning to improve output quality.
- Identify when and how to automate or scale a workflow.
- Build an AI-enhanced template bank for recurring tasks.
- Understand the limits of AI scalability and quality control.
🧭 Lesson Flow
| Segment | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Testing Prompts and Workflows | 20 min | Evaluation Strategy |
| 2. Prompt Refinement Techniques | 30 min | Versions + Feedback |
| 3. Scaling with Templates and Logic | 25 min | Automation Planning |
| 4. Quality Control and Limits | 20 min | Edge Cases and Consistency |
| 5. Exercises + Knowledge Check | 40–60 min | Prompt Labs + Scaling Experiments |
🧑🏫 1. Testing Prompts and Workflows
📖 Teaching Script:
Once a workflow works once, the real question becomes:
“Can I make it work reliably, every time, in slightly different conditions?”
That’s where testing matters.
🧪 Three Methods of Prompt Testing:
- Repetition Test
- Run the same prompt 3–5 times. Check consistency.
- Does the AI stay within format? Same length? Same logic?
- Input Variation Test
- Change one input variable (e.g. topic, tone, audience)
- Does the system still respond well?
- Transferability Test
- Try the prompt in another AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT vs Claude)
- Does it still make sense? Perform equally?
🧠 Evaluation Rubric:
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of output | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ |
| Tone match | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ |
| Format compliance | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Creative value | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ |
You can score and compare over time.
🔧 2. Prompt Refinement Techniques
📘 Four Methods of Prompt Iteration:
| Technique | Example |
|---|---|
| Expand | “Add 3 examples and 1 warning to the original output.” |
| Clarify | “Rephrase to sound clearer for a 12-year-old reader.” |
| Format | “Convert this to a bulleted list with 2-word headers.” |
| Compress | “Summarise this section to under 120 words.” |
🧪 Refinement Prompts:
- “Rework this response to include a case study.”
- “Make this blog post more emotionally persuasive.”
- “Add a short counterpoint to this argument.”
- “Rephrase to comply with UK academic tone.”
✏️ Tip:
Keep version numbers as comments in your working prompt library:
Example:
Prompt v1.2 – Updated with real-world tone + bullet formatting
⚙️ 3. Scaling Workflows with Templates and Logic
📘 What Is Scaling in AI Use?
Scaling = making a task repeatable, faster, more reliable.
It means less thinking, more output.
🧪 Three Template Types for Scaling:
- Content Templates “Generate a [type] with 3 sections: [X], [Y], and [Z]. Use friendly tone.”
Used in blog posts, social updates, lessons, CVs. - Interaction Templates “Act as a [role]. You are helping [person] solve [problem]. Respond with: Advice, Options, and Resources.”
- Format Logic Templates “For any list, start each bullet with a noun, add 1 stat, and close with action.”
📦 Automating via No-Code Tools (Optional Future Skill):
| Tool | Use | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Zapier / Make | Connect prompts to form inputs and outputs | Schedule AI tasks |
| Google Sheets + GPT | Prompt library or batch prompting | Store and version prompts |
| Notion AI workflows | Note-to-publish flows | Automate learning notes or newsletters |
🧪 4. Quality Control and Recognising Limits
⚠️ When AI Scaling Fails:
- Uncontrolled output variability
- Overreliance on unclear memory
- Losing track of previous prompts
- Degrading tone or ethics in scale
🧠 Tips for Quality Assurance:
- Set and stick to prompt format templates
- Use checklists in prompts: “Include 1 quote, 1 stat, and 1 action point”
- Cross-check with non-AI logic (e.g. read it aloud, use humans)
- Don’t scale blindly — test every 10 outputs
🧪 5. Exercises + Knowledge Check
✅ Exercise 1: Run a Prompt Versioning Test
Take one prompt (e.g. a lesson plan or LinkedIn post).
Create 3 versions:
- Default version
- Revised tone version
- Extended with data version
Compare quality and save best
✅ Exercise 2: Build a Scaling Template
Choose one content format you use often (e.g. reports, essays, strategies).
Build a 4-part template for it. Then test it on 2 different topics.
✅ Exercise 3: Evaluate a Workflow
Pick one of your previous 3-step workflows.
Rate it using this table:
| Criteria | 1–5 Stars |
|---|---|
| Consistency | |
| Speed | |
| Quality | |
| Ease of use | |
| Tool fit |
🧠 Knowledge Check (10 Questions)
- What are the three key types of prompt tests?
- What’s one method of prompt iteration?
- Define scaling in AI workflow use.
- What’s a content prompt template?
- Name a formatting tip for controlling tone.
- Why is versioning useful for prompt refinement?
- What can cause failure in scaled workflows?
- What’s one no-code tool that can help automate AI tasks?
- How do you test prompt consistency?
- Build a checklist-based prompt for writing an article.
📝 Wrap-Up Assignment (Optional)
Title: “Prompt Evolution and My First Scalable Workflow”
Include:
- A prompt with 3 refined versions
- A reusable template with 2 test runs
- A rating grid of one workflow
- 150-word reflection: What does scalable AI mean to you?
📦 End-of-Week Deliverables
- ✅ Prompt refinement lab (3 versions)
- ✅ Workflow testing grid
- ✅ One template tested on 2 topics
- ✅ Knowledge check
- ✅ Optional scaling reflection assignment