Chain a metric anomaly into a root cause
Move from the observation to the cause in reviewable steps rather than one confident leap.
What this prompt helps you do
The characterised anomaly, then candidate explanations, then the diagnosis with its supporting evidence.
When to use it
A metric moved unexpectedly and the first plausible explanation is being accepted.
What to prepare
The goal, relevant source material, constraints, examples, and the decision or action this should support.
How to get a strong result
Characterise the anomaly precisely before explaining it; most wrong diagnoses come from a vague description of the effect.
How to use this prompt
Replace each placeholder with accurate context. Paste the complete prompt into Claude, review the response critically, resolve important questions, and use it as a considered input to the next decision—not as an unchecked final answer.