AI Prompt Template to Overcome the IKEA Effect

Basic Prompt

I'd like your help with a project evaluation to overcome the IKEA effect (the tendency to overvalue things I've created myself). I need an objective assessment of the following project:

[Project description: Include what you created, how long you spent on it, resources invested, and your current assessment of its value/quality]

Please help me by:

1. Providing an objective evaluation of this project's quality and value
2. Identifying any areas where my emotional investment might be clouding my judgment
3. Comparing this to alternatives (professional services, ready-made options, etc.)
4. Offering a cost-benefit analysis of any further investment
5. Suggesting specific improvements that would add genuine value
6. Helping me determine if I should continue with this project, modify it, or move on

Please be honest but constructive. I'm looking to make better decisions, not necessarily to abandon my work.

Advanced Version

I'm seeking your help with an objective evaluation of a project I've created to counter the IKEA effect bias. The IKEA effect causes people to overvalue their creations due to the labor they've invested. Here are the details:

PROJECT TYPE: [DIY home renovation/Business proposal/Creative work/Investment/etc.]

DESCRIPTION: [Detailed description of what you created]

TIME INVESTED: [Hours/days/months spent]

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT: [Money spent so far]

INTENDED PURPOSE: [What you hoped to achieve]

PERSONAL ASSESSMENT: [How you currently view the quality and value]

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: [Other options you've looked at]

EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT (1-10): [How emotionally invested you feel]

Please analyze this objectively as if it were created by someone else and provide:

1. QUALITY ASSESSMENT: An honest evaluation of the quality compared to professional or market standards

2. VALUE ANALYSIS: The actual value provided compared to alternatives (including opportunity cost of time/money spent)

3. BIAS IDENTIFICATION: Specific areas where my judgment might be influenced by my personal investment

4. DECISION FRAMEWORK: A structured approach to decide whether to:
   a) Continue as planned
   b) Modify with specific improvements
   c) Scale back
   d) Abandon and start fresh
   e) Outsource to professionals

5. SUNK COST PERSPECTIVE: Help me separate already-invested resources (which shouldn't affect future decisions) from genuine potential

6. FUTURE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS: If continuing, what additional resources would be required and what return can realistically be expected

7. STRENGTHS RETENTION: Regardless of the path forward, what valuable elements or learnings should be preserved

Please be straightforward and honest while recognizing the emotional component of creation. I value clarity over comfort in this assessment.

Context-Specific Variations

For Creative Projects

I've been working on a creative project and would like your help overcoming the IKEA effect to evaluate it objectively:

PROJECT: [Brief description of your writing/art/music/etc.]

GOAL: [What you hope to achieve with this work]

TARGET AUDIENCE: [Who the work is intended for]

COMPARABLE WORKS: [Similar professional works in the field]

Please provide:

1. An honest assessment of how this would be received by my target audience
2. Areas where my emotional investment might be affecting my quality assessment
3. Specific elements that work well and should be retained
4. Elements that could benefit from professional input or significant revision
5. A realistic perspective on the project's potential in its field
6. Actionable next steps that focus on the work's purpose rather than my investment in it

I'm looking for candid feedback that will help me improve the work or decide on my next steps.

For Business Decisions

I need an objective assessment of a business initiative I've developed to ensure I'm not affected by the IKEA effect:

INITIATIVE: [Product/service/strategy description]

RESOURCES ALLOCATED: [Time/money/team resources invested]

EXPECTED OUTCOMES: [Goals and metrics for success]

MARKET CONTEXT: [Competitive landscape and alternatives]

Please analyze:

1. The initiative's strengths and weaknesses from a market perspective
2. Whether my personal involvement is causing me to overestimate potential or underestimate challenges
3. How this compares to existing solutions or alternatives
4. The opportunity cost of continuing this initiative versus other options
5. A framework for deciding whether to proceed, pivot, or discontinue
6. If proceeding, specific areas to modify based on objective market needs rather than my vision

Please prioritize business value over my personal attachment to this idea.

For Home/DIY Projects

I'd like an objective assessment of my DIY project to counter the IKEA effect:

PROJECT: [Home renovation/furniture build/craft project/etc.]

SKILLS LEVEL: [Your experience level with this type of project]

TIME & MONEY INVESTED: [Resources used so far]

INTENDED PURPOSE: [Functional goals and aesthetic aims]

PROFESSIONAL ALTERNATIVE: [Cost and timeframe if done professionally]

Please provide:

1. An honest assessment of the quality compared to professional standards
2. Safety or durability concerns I might be overlooking
3. The true cost-effectiveness of DIY versus professional work in this case
4. Which aspects show good craftsmanship and which might need professional attention
5. Recommendations on whether to:
   - Complete as is
   - Modify with specific improvements
   - Bring in professional help for certain aspects
   - Start over with a different approach

I want to ensure the project meets its intended purpose effectively, regardless of my personal investment in the work done so far.

Tips for Using These Prompts Effectively

  1. Be detailed and honest in your project description - the AI can only evaluate based on what you share.
  2. Include photos or examples when possible for visual projects.
  3. Specify your skill level to get appropriately calibrated feedback.
  4. Mention any deadlines or constraints affecting your decision.
  5. Ask for specific actionable feedback rather than just general assessment.
  6. Consider asking multiple AI systems to get diverse perspectives.
  7. Follow up with "why" questions if you find yourself resistant to the feedback.