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How to Ask AI the Right Way (and Get Results That Matter)
In Part 1 of this series, we introduced how AI can be used across electrical estimating, detailing, and project management. But the key to unlocking those benefits comes down to one essential skill:
Prompting is how you communicate with AI. Think of it like talking to a junior team member—you get better results when you're clear, specific, and structured.
This article will show you how to go from “trying AI” to getting answers you can actually use—with [IQ], AECInspire’s chat-based AI built directly into your project workflow.
Why Prompting Matters
Most of the frustration with AI comes from poor prompting. People type vague questions, get generic answers, and assume the tool “doesn’t work.”
But prompting is a skill—and it’s one that can turn [IQ] into one of the most productive team members on your project.
Let’s look at how prompting works in the real world.
Prompting by Role
Prompting Tips That Work
Here are a few simple but powerful ways to improve your prompting:
- Be specific: Reference sheet numbers, spec sections, or equipment tags
- Ask for format: “Give me a table,” “Summarize in bullets,” “List as steps”
- Limit scope: Narrow to floors, rooms, systems, or sheet ranges
- Clarify your intent: Say whether you want code references, constructability checks, or prefabrication insights
When you combine those elements, [IQ] becomes more than just a search bar—it becomes a second brain for your project.
Prompt Templates You Can Use Today
You don’t need to memorize prompt formats—just borrow and tweak from what works.
Final Word
Prompting is what makes AI actually useful. It bridges the gap between your intent and [IQ]’s ability to deliver value.
This is how estimators reduce scope gaps, how detailers gain clarity, and how PMs catch issues before they hit the field.
And it’s not about being a tech expert. It’s about asking better questions—the kind you already ask every day.
In the next article, we’ll go one step further and show how to use prompting to create entire project-ready tables like Feeder Schedules and Fire Alarm Device Counts—directly from your uploaded drawings.
