Summary  
This chapter covers how to construct structured AI prompts that evaluate inputs against predefined criteria for automated classification.

General domain of usage  
Sales lead qualification collection and scoring

The **BANT framework**—standing for **Budget**, **Authority**, **Need**, and **Timeline**—is a classic method for qualifying sales leads. In sales, **qualifying** means determining whether a lead is worth pursuing based on their likelihood to become a customer. Using **BANT**, you evaluate if a prospect has the **budget** to buy, the **authority** to make decisions, a genuine **need** for your solution, and a **timeline** for making a purchase decision. This approach helps you focus your energy on leads most likely to convert, making your sales process more efficient and effective.

With the rise of **AI**, you can automate the **BANT qualification process** for hundreds or thousands of leads at once. **AI models** can analyze data from emails, CRM entries, and online behavior to flag which prospects meet **BANT criteria**. This means you can quickly identify high-potential leads and avoid wasting time on those unlikely to buy. Automating **BANT-based qualification** not only saves time but also ensures consistency and scalability as your sales pipeline grows.

>## Task
>Describe a prospect from your pipeline (or use the example below) and get a BANT verdict.
>
>Send this message to Claude in the lab on the right:
>
>> **Prospect: Marketing Director at a 200-person e-commerce company. They mentioned budget is "tight this quarter" but they're evaluating tools. Decision goes through the CMO. They want something running before Q4. No current solution in place.**
>
>- Read the verdict and rationale — do you agree?
>- Paste a real prospect description from your own pipeline
>- Ask Claude what question you should ask next on a follow-up call
>
>Done when you've qualified at least two leads.

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