The 5-I’s: Iterating to clarify the response to the prompt
- Andrew Bissot
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
In manufacturing, velocity is key, but when coupled with precision, it creates value. When a process fails, the 5-why problem-solving approach becomes one of the most common strategies due to the ease to train and to deploy. With a simplistic catchphrase undertone, the 5-Y states forces us to look past the surface of the problem and the quick solution to uncover a root cause.
Why Manufacturing Needs the 5-I Framework for LLM
Enter the 5-I technique. Taking what we know about 5-why for problem solving, how do we take the same approach to using large language models (LLM)? A novice or first-time user of an LLM (e.g., Chat GPT, Llama) enters a prompt and instantly becomes floored by the results. Simply stopping on the first iteration, the enamored user has been entranced by the accuracy.
In problem-solving, a novice could make a similar mistake by defaulting to the answer to the first why. Through experience and the compounding aspects of a 5-why, we see that five whys generally gets us closer to a root cause. Using LLMs, we need to do the same.
Instead of asking why five times, we need to iterate five times to engineer our prompt so that it is effective and efficient. This 5-I strategy takes the initial prompt and sharpens the results. This iterative loop hones a prompt and prevents us from being complacent with the first solution.
The 5-I Framework for Iterating Engineered Prompts
When prompting, the 5-I mindset will create a necessary habit to iterate on a prompt at least five times. With the first iteration, we create a simplistic framework for the refinement to come. The second iteration should stabilize the previous response with additional anchors and boundaries for context. The third iteration clarifies the effectiveness of the previous prompts, steering one direction versus another. The fourth iteration refines the prompting journey with specifics and perspectives. The fifth iteration is the polish that makes the original prompt unique and inspiring.
Iteration 1 (Initiate) - A simplistic answer
Iteration 2 (Inform) - Stabilization of the response
Iteration 3 (Improve) - Clarifying the effectiveness of the response
Iteration 4 (Innovate) - Underwrites the adaptability of perspectives
Iteration 5 (Integrate) - Polishing for uniqueness and purpose
Like a 5-why, if you ask why one or two times, you will rarely get to the root cause and will inevitably re-experience the failure again. When prompting, iterating once or twice will get you a mixed drink of lousiness.
By iterating five times with your engineered prompts, you are applying an ingrained discipline of 5-why problem-solving with a new and evolving tool. You are establishing the pattern and patience designed to remove obvious waste and algorithmic inefficiencies. You will begin to balance the value of velocity in conjunction with quality by pushing through the appeal of quick solutions. This 5-I approach provides a manufacturing team with a structured approach to enhance a prompt to maximize its application and confidence for success.
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