The SPOCK Method
Which SPOCK element would you adjust if your AI output is too generic and lacks actionable detail?
Specificity
What does IBM’s AI platform for business called?
watsonx
What year was IBM founded?
1911
What is the most popular dog breed in the U.S.?
Labrador Retriever
What bird is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner?
Turkey
If you want the AI to respond as a seasoned crisis communications expert, which SPOCK element do you modify?
Persona
IBM is known for its mainframe computers. What is the current mainframe series called?
IBM z
IBM developed a chess-playing computer that defeated Garry Kasparov. What was its name?
Deep Blue
Which sense is most developed in dogs compared to humans?
Smell
Which U.S. president made Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Abraham Lincoln
You need the AI to produce a 500-word strategic plan with bullet points and a timeline. Which SPOCK element ensures this requirement is met?
Output
Which IBM product helps manage hybrid cloud environments?
IBM Cloud Pak
Which IBM CEO is credited with leading the company’s turnaround in the 1990s?
Lou Gerstner
What is the average lifespan of a domestic cat?
12–16 years
What is the name of the parade held annually in New York City on Thanksgiving?
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
A prompt fails because the AI doesn’t understand the organizational background or constraints. Which SPOCK element was likely missing?
Context
What is IBM’s quantum computing platform called?
IBM Quantum
What was IBM’s original name?
Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR)
Which dog breed is known for its blue-black tongue?
Chow Chow
Which Native American tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims?
Wampanoag
You’re writing a prompt about cybersecurity trends and want to prevent hallucinated facts. Which SPOCK element helps you include verified sources and domain-specific details?
Knowledge
IBM offers a data fabric solution under which product name?
IBM Data Fabric
Who was IBM’s CEO during its major PC launch in 1981?
John Opel
What is the scientific name for the domestic cat?
Felis catus
What year was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?
1621