You’ve probably used ChatGPT or Claude and gotten responses that completely missed the mark. The AI rambled. It didn’t understand what you needed. You had to ask three more times to get something useful.
There’s a reason for that. Most people treat AI like a search engine. They type vague requests and hope for the best.
But AI needs structure. It needs context. It needs clear instructions.
That’s where CIDI comes in.
What Is CIDI Prompting?
CIDI is a framework for writing better AI prompts. It stands for:
- Context
- Instructions
- Details
- Input
Gianluca Mauro created this framework around 2023. He’s the founder of AI Academy and has taught over 12,000 professionals how to use AI effectively. He also teaches at Harvard’s Executive Education programs.
The idea is simple. Instead of throwing random requests at AI, you give it everything it needs in four parts.
Think of it like ordering food. You don’t just say “give me food.” You say what type of food (context), how you want it prepared (instructions), any special requirements (details), and specific ingredients or preferences (input).
Why Most AI Prompts Fail
Here’s what usually happens:
Someone types: “Write a marketing email.”
The AI doesn’t know:
- Who the email is for
- What product or service to promote
- What tone to use
- What the goal is
- What information to include
So it creates something generic. Useless.
According to research from AI Academy, professionals who use structured prompting frameworks like CIDI see improvements within just a few days. True mastery takes 2-3 weeks of consistent practice.
The difference? Structure eliminates guesswork.
Breaking Down the CIDI Framework
C: Context
This is where you set the stage. You tell the AI what role to play and what situation you’re in.
Context answers: Who is the AI supposed to be? What’s the background? Why does this task matter?
Example: “You are a sales director at a B2B software company that sells project management tools to mid-sized businesses.”
Without context, AI gives you generic advice. With context, it tailors everything to your specific situation.
I: Instructions
This is your command center. Be clear about what you want the AI to do.
Use action verbs. Be specific. Don’t leave room for interpretation.
Example: “Write a cold email to introduce our new feature that helps teams track project milestones in real time.”
Weak instructions lead to weak results. Strong instructions get you exactly what you need.
D: Details
This is where you add requirements, constraints, and preferences.
Details include:
- Tone (professional, casual, friendly)
- Format (bullet points, paragraphs, specific length)
- What to avoid
- Special requirements
Example: “Keep it under 150 words. Use a friendly but professional tone. Include a clear call to action. Don’t use corporate jargon.”
Details refine the output. They turn “good enough” into “exactly what I needed.”
I: Input
This is the actual data the AI needs to work with.
Input includes:
- Specific information about your product
- Data points
- Examples
- Background materials
Example: “The feature is called MilestoneSync. It automatically updates project timelines when team members complete tasks. It’s available in our Pro plan for $49/month.”
Input gives the AI the raw materials. Without it, the AI fills in blanks with assumptions.
Real-World Example
Let’s see CIDI in action.
Bad prompt: “Write an email about our new product.”
CIDI prompt:
Context: You are an email marketing specialist at TechFlow, a company that builds productivity software for remote teams.
Instructions: Write a promotional email to our existing customers announcing a new feature. The goal is to get them to try the feature within the next week.
Details: Keep it under 200 words. Use a conversational tone. Include one clear benefit and a call to action. Don’t oversell.
Input: The new feature is called “FocusMode” and it blocks distracting websites during work hours. It’s free for all current users.
The CIDI version gives the AI everything it needs. The result? A targeted, useful email instead of generic marketing fluff.
How Different Industries Use CIDI
Corporate Training
Great Eastern, Nuskin, and other companies have used CIDI-based training to upskill their teams. The framework helps employees create better training materials, internal communications, and documentation.
One consultant trained over 200 professionals in five months using CIDI principles. The results included faster content creation and more consistent quality across teams.
Content Creation
Writers and marketers use CIDI to generate blog outlines, social media posts, and email campaigns.
A wellness coach grew her social media following to over 20,000 without paid ads. She used CIDI prompts to create content that resonated with her audience.
Business Consulting
Consultants use CIDI to analyze market trends, create client proposals, and develop strategies.
One sales funnel expert used CIDI to help clients create content that converted attention into sales. The structured approach made it easier to identify what information the AI needed.
Education
Teachers use CIDI to create lesson plans, write learning objectives, and design course materials.
The framework ensures that educational content is tailored to specific student needs and learning outcomes.
Common CIDI Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Mistake 1: Vague Context
Bad: “You are a marketer.”
Better: “You are a content marketer at a SaaS company that sells accounting software to small businesses.”
Specificity matters. The more precise your context, the better your results.
Mistake 2: Unclear Instructions
Bad: “Write something about our product.”
Better: “Create a 300-word product description that explains the three main benefits and includes a call to action.”
Ambiguity kills quality. Be specific about what you want.
Mistake 3: Missing Details
Forgetting to mention tone, format, or constraints leads to output that doesn’t fit your needs.
Always include:
- Desired length
- Tone and style
- Format preferences
- What to avoid
Mistake 4: Insufficient Input
Bad: “Our product helps people save time.”
Better: “Our product is a time-tracking app called TimeWise. It integrates with Slack and Asana. Users report saving an average of 5 hours per week. It costs $15/month.”
Give the AI the facts it needs. Don’t make it guess.
CIDI vs. Other Frameworks
CIDI vs. RISEN
RISEN (Role, Instructions, Steps, Expectations, Narrowing) is more complex. It’s better for multi-step processes that need detailed planning.
CIDI is simpler and more accessible. It works for most everyday tasks without overwhelming you with components.
CIDI vs. Simple Prompts
Simple prompts (“Write a blog post about productivity”) are fast but inconsistent.
CIDI takes a few extra seconds but delivers reliable results. It’s the difference between hoping for good output and actually getting it.
How to Start Using CIDI Today
Start small. Pick one task you do regularly.
Before you write your next prompt, ask yourself:
- What context does the AI need?
- What exactly do I want it to do?
- What specific requirements matter?
- What information should I provide?
Write down your answers. Then structure them into a CIDI prompt.
You’ll notice the difference immediately.
Tips for Better CIDI Prompts
1. Be specific with context
Don’t just say “You are a writer.” Say what kind of writer, for what audience, in what industry.
2. Use clear action verbs
“Create,” “analyze,” “write,” “develop,” “explain.” Make it obvious what you want.
3. Set boundaries in details
Tell the AI what NOT to do. This prevents common mistakes.
4. Provide complete input
Don’t hold back information. The more the AI knows, the better it performs.
5. Iterate and refine
Your first CIDI prompt might not be perfect. That’s fine. Adjust based on results.
Advanced CIDI Techniques
Combining CIDI with Examples
Add examples to your input section. Show the AI what good looks like.
Example: “Here’s a previous email that worked well: [paste example]. Create something similar for this new campaign.”
Using CIDI for Complex Projects
Break large projects into smaller CIDI prompts. Each prompt handles one piece.
For a marketing strategy, you might use separate prompts for:
- Market analysis
- Competitor research
- Content calendar
- Campaign messaging
Saving Your Best Prompts
Build a library of CIDI prompts that work. Reuse and adapt them for similar tasks.
This saves time and ensures consistent quality.
The Bottom Line
CIDI works because it eliminates ambiguity.
You give the AI context. You tell it what to do. You specify how to do it. You provide the information it needs.
No guessing. No generic output. No wasted time on multiple revisions.
Is it more work than typing a quick question? Yes.
Does it save you time in the long run? Absolutely.
Most professionals see better results within days. After a few weeks of practice, CIDI becomes second nature.
You stop fighting with AI. You start collaborating with it.
Ready to Transform Your AI Results?
CIDI isn’t complicated. It’s just structured thinking.
Context. Instructions. Details. Input.
Four simple components that completely change how AI responds to you.
If you’re tired of generic AI outputs, CIDI is worth trying. Start with one task. Build the habit. Watch your results improve.
And if you need help implementing AI strategies in your business or training your team to use AI effectively, reach out to experts who understand both the technology and your business needs.
Contact D Action Consultancy to learn how AI transformation can streamline your operations, enhance team productivity, and drive measurable business growth.
We specialize in practical AI training and business transformation consultation for companies ready to leverage AI tools for real-world results.