# Session 4 Handout: Explain

<p class="meta">FAST-11 AI-Assisted Analytics and Business Intelligence · 7formations · Instructor: Wadood Chaudhary · All examples fictional</p>

## Why this session matters

Most decision makers read the summary, not the dashboard. AI drafts summaries well but tends to **overstate trends** and **add causes** the data does not show. This session turns an AI draft into a data story where every sentence can be traced to a number or chart.

## Key concepts

### 1. Draft from verified numbers

- Give the AI the **verified numbers and chart takeaways**, not the raw file.
- Name the **reader and decision**.
- Ask for plain language, three points, answer first.
- Tell it: **no causes** unless they are in the facts you gave.

### 2. Fact-check the story

1. Underline every claim.
2. Trace each to a number or chart.
3. Mark it supported, overstated, or unsupported.
4. Fix overstated wording with the exact number; remove unsupported claims.
5. Watch every "because."

| AI wording | Verified | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| "Skyrocketed" | +6.0% | "rose 6%" |
| "Mostly VF-4" | 41% | "the largest share, 41%" |
| "Because of the new coolant" | Not in data | Remove |

### 3. Write for decision makers

- **Lead with the answer and the action.**
- Three points, not ten.
- State uncertainty plainly ("24 rows have no recorded reason").
- Put the method in an appendix.
- **End with the decision you need.**

## Worked example (fictional)

> **Recommend a VF-4 bearing inspection this week.** VF-4 produced 41% of Q3 scrap cost ($6,602 of $16,102), and its monthly cost rose 15% from July to September. Shop-wide, Q3 scrap cost was 6% higher than Q2; tool breaks were the largest single reason (22%). Note: 24 rows ($1,182) have no recorded reason. **Decision needed:** approve 4 hours of VF-4 downtime by Friday.

## Checklist

- [ ] AI given verified numbers only.
- [ ] Every claim underlined and traced.
- [ ] No overstated words; no unsupported causes or predictions.
- [ ] Answer and action first; three points.
- [ ] Uncertainty stated; decision named.

## Do and don't

| Do | Don't |
| --- | --- |
| Use exact figures | Use "skyrocketed," "clearly," "always" |
| Say what the data can't show | Fill gaps with plausible reasons |
| Keep it to one page | Paste the whole analysis |