# Turn expert know-how into a decision tree

Converts how an expert makes a recurring decision into a clear yes/no decision tree others can follow, with escalation points.

- Topic: Thinking & Decisions
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Advanced
- Tags: Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/turn-expert-know-how-into-a-decision-tree

## Prompt

```text
Turn the expert knowledge below into a decision tree that others can follow.

**The decision:** [e.g. "whether to approve a refund", "which support tier handles a ticket", "how to classify an incident"]
**Expert's explanation:** [PASTE interview notes, emails, examples of past decisions, or the expert's own words]
**Who will use the tree:** [e.g. "new team members", "frontline staff"]
**Rules or limits that always apply:** [policy, approval limits, legal or safety constraints]

Build:
1. **Starting point** - the trigger that starts the decision.
2. **The tree** - questions that can be answered yes/no or with a short set of options, ordered so the most decisive and safety-critical questions come first. Each branch ends in a clear outcome or action.
3. **Text version** as a numbered outline (e.g. 1 > 1a > 1a-i) so it works in Word or a wiki.
4. **Diagram code** in Mermaid flowchart syntax that I can paste into a diagram tool.
5. **Escalation points** - where the tree should send the case to a person instead of deciding.
6. **Test cases** - 5 realistic scenarios with the path each takes and the outcome, including at least 2 edge cases.
7. **Gaps** - situations the expert's input doesn't cover, marked [ASK EXPERT].

Rules:
- Reflect how the expert actually decides; don't add criteria they didn't mention without labeling them (suggested).
- Every path must end in an outcome; no dead ends or loops.
- For decisions with legal, financial, safety, or HR consequences, the tree supports judgment; it doesn't replace the accountable person's sign-off.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "new team members", "frontline staff"
- policy, approval limits, legal or safety constraints
- ASK EXPERT

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.