Prompt Engineering: The Key to Unlocking AI Potential

Prompt engineering is the art of crafting instructions that help AI tools, like Microsoft Copilot, produce better, more useful responses. As these tools become integrated into our daily workflows, the way we “ask” becomes just as important as what we ask. Prompt engineering empowers users to get the most out of AI by being intentional in their phrasing.

One simple but effective framework for better prompting is the 3 C’s:

Context, Clarity, and Constraints.

Context sets the scene—what’s the goal, who’s the audience, and what role should the AI take? For example, instead of asking “Write a summary,” you might say “As a marketing analyst, write a one-paragraph summary of our Q1 sales report for executive leadership.” 

Clarity ensures the AI understands exactly what you mean. Avoid vague terms and be specific about your needs. Rather than saying “Make this better,” try “Rewrite this paragraph to sound more persuasive and professional.” 

Finally, Constraints guide the output’s format or style—like word count, tone, or structure. You could say “Generate five bullet points under 100 words in a friendly tone.”

When you apply the 3 C’s, your prompts go from vague to powerful—leading to results that are faster, sharper, and more aligned with your goals. Prompt engineering isn’t just a tech skill; it’s a modern communication tool.

Mastering prompt engineering can turn AI from a novelty into a strategic advantage in everything from emails to reports to creative brainstorming.

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Ever wonder how others get amazing results from AI tools? Enter... Prompt Engineering! It is a key AI skill, and it can make ALL the difference to help accelerate tasks!

In the following video, you will see how the 3 C’s of Prompt Engineering: Context, Clarity, and Constraints are put into practice.

You will learn how we can go from just "Ok" to "Well-crafted" prompting so you can maximize results you received from AI. Taking time to develop the skill (and art) of quality AI prompting is essential.

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From Meh to Masterful: Prompting in Microsoft Copilot

✅ Step 1: Try a Basic Prompt

Open Microsoft Teams and scroll up to the top.

Click on the Copilot icon.

In the Copilot chat box, type: “Tell me about Enpro Industries.”

Observe the output. Does it provide you with the information you wanted?

✅ Step 2: Add Context

Next, try typing this “I am a new hire candidate. Tell me about Enpro Industries and list its core values and senior leaders.”

How does this output look in comparison? Do you see a difference? Did you get more information and was the response better tailored to what you're looking for?

✅ Step 3: Increase Clarity

Now, continue to refine your prompt by adding clarity about what key details matter.

Try typing this. "I am a new hire candidate. Tell me about Enpro Industries. List its core values, mission statement, and its past 2 years of annual earnings. Highlight areas where Enpro is growing."

Are your results getting better as you provide more clarity to what you're looking for?

✅ Step 4: Add Constraints

Finally, let's apply constraints to guide format and tone.

Try typing the following: “I am a new hire candidate. Tell me about Enpro Industries. Summarize their corporate history in a 50-word paragraph using a professional tone. Provide a bullet format of their core values. List the top 3 high-selling products from their Sealing and AST segments. Avoid discussing companies that may have been divested, at this point."

Do you see how constraints can be used to further improve the output you get? Better and more refined prompt engineering leads to better output! Knowing how to prompt AI will help you get the most from it.

Remember: Always double-check and validate what AI generates. It can get information wrong, and we all are responsible for ensuring accuracy when using AI output.

✅ Step 5: Create Your Own Prompt Using the 3 C’s

Now it’s your turn! Think of a task you do regularly (e.g., drafting emails, writing reports, summarizing meetings).

Use the 3 C’s—Context, Clarity, and Constraints—to craft your own prompt in Copilot. Test it and refine based on the results. Before you know it, prompting AI will feel simple, straightforward, and natural!