# Explain what changed since the last report, why, and what I should do next

Compares two versions or periods of a report and explains what moved, the likely reasons, and the actions it calls for.

- Topic: Research & Summaries
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Write, Analyze, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/explain-what-changed-since-the-last-report-why-and-what-i-should-do

## Prompt

```text
Compare these two versions of a report and tell me what changed, why, and what to do about it.

**Previous version or period:** [PASTE - last month's report, last week's dashboard, the earlier draft]
**Current version or period:** [PASTE]
**What I'm responsible for:** [ROLE and the metrics or outcomes I own]
**Known events in between:** [e.g. price change, reorg, launch, outage - optional]

Give me:
1. **What changed** - a table: Item | Before | Now | Change (absolute and %) | Material? (yes/no). Include changes in wording, scope, forecasts, dates, and risks, not just numbers.
2. **Why it likely changed** - for each material change, the explanation given in the report, or the most likely causes, clearly labeled as "stated in report" or "possible explanation - to confirm".
3. **What's not changing but should be** - anything stuck or flat that was supposed to move.
4. **What I should do next** - 3-5 actions, each tied to a change, with who I'd need to talk to.
5. **Questions to ask the report owner** about anything unexplained.

Rules: don't invent causes or numbers - if the reason isn't in the material, say so. Flag any change that might be due to a definition, method, or data change rather than real performance. Lead with the biggest change, not the order of the report.
```

## What to fill in

- PASTE
- ROLE and the metrics or outcomes I own
- e.g. price change, reorg, launch, outage - optional

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