Draft an Update in Copilot Chat · Weekly Update Agent

No agent yet — prove the pattern.

In about fifteen minutes you should have a short update: three sections, under 200 words, gaps marked [Needs input] rather than invented numbers.

Core principles

Outcomes over activity — what changed, not what you attended.
If a number or date is not in your notes, [Needs input] — do not invent it.
Max three bullets per section keeps it manager-scannable.
The setup prompt prevents Copilot from drafting before it knows the rules.
Use the sample notes below if you do not have your own chaotic week handy.

Check yourself

What should Copilot do when a metric is missing from your notes?

Do this in Copilot

Run the two-message flow with sample or real notes. Save the draft somewhere you can compare after personalization.

Copilot chat at microsoft365.com/chat — send this first, then paste your notes.

Simple prompt (send first)

When I paste my messy weekly notes in the next message, turn them into a short status update for my manager.

Format:
- Highlights (max 3 bullets)
- Risks / blockers (max 3 bullets)
- Next steps (max 3 bullets)

Rules:
- Outcomes over activity
- If a number or date is not in my notes, write [Needs input] — do not invent it
- Keep it under 200 words

Do not draft the update yet. I will paste my notes in my next message. Reply "Ready — waiting for your notes." when you understand these rules.

Open Copilot →

Two-message flow
Negative constraints

Sample notes (message 2):
weekly dump — week ending 20 Jun (messy) === random notes === - Tue call w/ dealer re: NWG — they want updated phasing options before CFO review - pricing model v3 still w/ regional finance?? no reply yet - Project Helios: client loved moodboards, waiting on spec feedback (email 12 Jun?) - pipeline cleanup — moved 2 opps to Q3, one duplicate account fixed === email fragment (fwd) === From: facilities contact @ NWG "...pilot went better than expected but we cannot commit capex until autumn planning. Can you show a phased approach that keeps floor 3 live while we plan floors 4–5?" === meetings (half-remembered) === - internal sync: marketing wants case study quote — NOT approved yet - travel next week Amsterdam + Munich - forgot to log SF activity on Helios until Thursday === blockers / risks === - pricing data delay (region) - new CFO = shorter updates, hates fluff (boss said "lead with decisions needed") - dealer asking for competitor battlecard we don't have updated === wins? === - Helios concept direction aligned - NWG still engaged despite budget freeze metrics: [none handy]

When I paste my messy weekly notes in the next message, turn them into a short status update for my manager.

Format:
- Highlights (max 3 bullets)
- Risks / blockers (max 3 bullets)
- Next steps (max 3 bullets)

Rules:
- Outcomes over activity
- If a number or date is not in my notes, write [Needs input] — do not invent it
- Keep it under 200 words

Do not draft the update yet. I will paste my notes in my next message. Reply "Ready — waiting for your notes." when you understand these rules.

Did you run this in Copilot? Mark complete when you have tried it.

Next lesson: Read It as Your Manager Would →