CARE/RAFT Prompting

Trying to get more precise results from generative IA?

Two proven prompt frameworks -- CARE (Context, Action, Rules, Example) and RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Task) -- help you structure better prompts.

🔍 CARE Framework – Define the Situation

Use CARE to shape the context of your prompt and help AI understand the “why” behind your question.

• C – Context: What’s happening or changing?

• A – Action/Ask: What are you doing?

• R – Rules: What kinds of formats and outputs should be included?

• E – Example: A sample of your intended output.

  
  

🧭 RAFT Framework – Shape the Output

Use RAFT to guide AI to give you answers that meet your needs.

·       R – Role: Who should AI act as?

• A – Audience: Who needs this output and what will they need?

• F – Format: How should the output be structured?

• T – Task: What do you need AI to do?

  
  

CARE and RAFT Prompt Examples by Industry

Sector	CARE (Context • Action/Ask • Rules • Example)	RAFT (Role • Audience • Format • Task)
What to use when	Start with CARE when you need strong guardrails (data boundaries, compliance, evaluation criteria).	Use RAFT when you need fast, consistent structure (who you want the model to be, the task, output format, and tone).
Finance	C – Context: We are comparing Q3 actuals vs. budget for [Business Unit]; use [attach: Q3_actuals_vs_budget.xlsx]; assume GAAP; treat unknowns as unknown. A – Action/Ask: Identify top 5 variances by $ and %, explain drivers, propose 3 corrective actions per driver with owners/dates. R – Rules: Output 1 page: 100‑word exec summary; table (Account | Var $ | Var % | Driver | Owner | Due); reference source cells (e.g., B12/C12). Avoid speculation. Example: COGS +1.2M (+4.5%) driven by resin cost increase. Actions: (1) Reprice with Supplier A (Owner: Ops, 9/15). (2) Qualify alt resin (R&D, 9/30). (3) Adjust mix to SKUs 14/18 (Sales, 10/5).”	R – Role: Senior FP&A analyst. A – Audience: CFO & BU GM who need decision‑ready insights and clear owners. F – Format: One‑page brief: headline, variance table, 3‑point outlook, next steps with dates. T – Task: Create a QBR variance briefing from [Q3_actuals_vs_budget.xlsx] highlighting the 5 biggest drivers and recommended actions.
Manufacturing	C – Context: Scrap on Line A rose from 1.8% → 4.2% over 7 days at [Plant]; data in [OEE_scrap_shift.csv, maintenance_log.pdf]. A – Action/Ask: Perform an A3: problem statement, current condition, 5‑Whys (top 3 suspects), 30/60/90‑day countermeasures. R – Rules: One‑pager with KPIs (OEE, FPY); mini Pareto of causes; owners/dates; actions measurable and testable. E – Example: “Suspect: Feeder misalignment (3x since 8/10). Countermeasure (30 days): Realign + SOP check; Owner: Maintenance; Due: 9/05.”	R – Role: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. A – Audience: Plant manager and maintenance lead needing clear root cause and plan. F – Format: A3 sections: Background • Current State (metrics) • Analysis (Pareto + 5‑Whys) • Countermeasures (30/60/90) • Follow‑up (owners/dates). T – Task: Diagnose scrap spike on Line A and provide a time‑boxed, owner‑assigned plan.
Retail	C – Context: Plan next week’s promo for Category [X] across e‑com and stores; inputs: [last_8_weeks_sales.csv, promo_calendar.xlsx, weather_forecast.pdf]. A – Action/Ask: Forecast lift, set price/markdown bands, allocate inventory to top 20 stores/DCs, flag risks/mitigations. R – Rules: Deliver brief with forecast table, recommended price bands, store/DC allocation bullets, risk register. Account for weather and stock constraints. E – Example: “Price band: 15–20% off drives +12–15% lift (history weeks 24–27). Allocation: Shift +8% units to coastal stores ahead of heat wave.”	R – Role: Merchandising planner. A – Audience: Category VP and store ops who need a clear, executable promo plan. F – Format: Executive summary • Forecast by channel • Price/markdown bands • Store/DC allocation • Risks & mitigations. T – Task: Build a one‑week promo plan for Category [X] using sales history, promo calendar, and weather.
Transportation	C – Context: On‑time performance (OTP) on Route [R] fell 91% → 82% last month; datasets: [AVL_headways.csv, incident_log.xlsx]. A – Action/Ask: Diagnose primary delay drivers; propose schedule tweaks (headway, recovery time, timepoints); model OTP impact. R – Rules: 1‑page ops note with Pareto of delay causes; 3 concrete schedule changes with projected OTP delta; adhere to DOT constraints. E – Example: “Change: Add 3 min recovery at Terminal B off‑peak; Impact: +3–4% OTP; Risk: crowding—mitigate with stop‑skips on trips 14/18.”	R – Role: Operations scheduler. A – Audience: Transit operations leadership who need data‑backed schedule changes. F – Format: Pareto chart narrative • Three recommended changes with before/after metrics • Implementation plan (phasing, comms). T – Task: Recommend schedule adjustments to restore OTP on Route [R] using AVL and incident data.
Professional Services	C – Context: Proposal for [Client] to address [Problem]; discovery notes and KPIs attached; budget cap [$X]. A – Action/Ask: Draft executive summary, hypothesis‑driven approach, 3 workstreams, timeline, outcomes/KPIs, and pricing options (good/better/best). R – Rules: 2‑page outline; client‑centric, measurable value; de‑risked timeline; list assumptions and risks. E – Example: “Workstream 2: Data foundation; deliver CDP pilot in 6 weeks; KPI: +15% MQL‑to‑SQL; Price: $140k (better).”	R – Role: Engagement manager. A – Audience: Executive sponsor and procurement who need clarity on value, scope, and price. F – Format: Executive summary • Objectives & KPIs • Workstreams & deliverables • Timeline • Team/roles • Pricing tiers • Assumptions/risks. T – Task: Produce a client‑ready proposal outline within the [$X] budget.
Government	C – Context: Launching a small‑business grant program at [Agency/State]; eligibility/timeline in [grant_policy.pdf]. A – Action/Ask: Create public FAQ, eligibility checklist, and application steps. R – Rules: Web‑ready copy; plain language; accessible (Section 508); include key dates and contact placeholders; multilingual access note. E – Example: “Who can apply? Businesses with <50 employees and ≤$5M revenue. How to apply (3 steps): Create account • Upload documents • Submit by Oct 15.”	R – Role: Policy analyst. A – Audience: Small business owners and community partners seeking simple, actionable guidance. F – Format: “At a glance” summary • Eligibility checklist • How to apply (step‑by‑step) • Key dates • Contact & language access. T – Task: Turn the internal grant policy into citizen‑facing guidance.