Introduction
The Alternative Approach Pattern aims to use the LLM to define alternative possibilies either from the prompt itself or from the answer of the LLM. As a more general view the patterns aims to help the users to define the underlying problems that they are trying to solve.
The Prompt
The generic structure of the prompt is the following:
If there are alternative ways to accomplish [THE INSTRUCTION] that I give you, list the best alternate approaches
- (OPTIONAL) include the original way that I asked
- (OPTIONAL) compare/contrast the pros and cons of each approach
- (OPTIONAL) prompt me for which approach I would like to use
the prompt it is essentially telling to the LLM to provide new possibilities.
Two commom implementations are available in the literature:
Version One
From now on, whenever I ask something, follow this approach:
- Put my original question exactly as I phrased it.
- Present an alternative approach or perspective that could also effectively address the question.
- Provide a clear and concise comparison of the pros and cons of each approach.
- Ask me which approach I would like you to use to respond to my original question.
Version Two
For anything that I ask you to write, determine the underlying problem that I am trying to solve and how I am trying to solve it.
List at least one alternative approach to solve the problem and compare the approach with the original approach implied by my request to you.
These are the two main approches suggested.
How to use the Prompt
There is not a real rule on which one of the two approaches is better. While the first one is more focused on the prompt itself, the second aims to push the LLM to provide different options in the answer. Both need to be set as contextual prompt before any session.
Some Tests
Let’s play with the pattern, in both modes, using quite generic question and see what are the answers. The idea is comparing the answer and see how the LLMs “react” to the instructions. The question will be
Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira
ChatGPT 5.2
Let’s validate on chatGPT the approach, both focused on the prompt and the answer.
Alternative Approach - Version 1
Given the version 1 of the prompt above ChatGPT provides a quite standard and expected acknoledgement
Got it — I’ll follow that approach from now on. 👍 I’ve saved this as your preferred response format for future questions. Whenever you ask something next, I’ll
- Quote your original question exactly as you wrote it
- Offer an alternative approach or perspective
- Compare the pros and cons of each
- Ask which approach you want me to use before proceeding Whenever you’re ready, ask your next question and we’ll try it out.
Then with the generic question above:
Your original question (exactly as phrased): “Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira” Two possible ways we can approach this
Approach A — Ready-made itinerary I create a day-by-day plan for 7 days in Madeira with specific activities, sights, towns, and pacing.
Pros
- Very concrete and easy to follow
- Saves you time and decision fatigue
- Great if you want a “just tell me what to do” plan
Cons
- Less flexible if your interests differ
- May include things you’d personally skip
- Needs assumptions (budget, activity level, travel style)
Approach B — Modular & customizable plan I outline themes and options for each day (nature, food, relaxation, adventure), plus recommendations, and you assemble the week based on what excites you most.
Pros
- Highly flexible and personal
- Adapts easily to weather, energy, or companions
- Better if you like choice and spontaneity
Cons
- Requires a bit more decision-making
- Less “plug-and-play” than a fixed itinerary
- Might feel abstract if you want firm plans
So the LLM is providing two possible approaches based on the contextual prompt and the specific request.
Alternative Approach - Version 2
With the second version of the prompt and the same question:
You asked: “Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira.” I’ll handle this in the structure you asked for.
- Underlying problem you’re trying to solve You want a clear, low-friction plan for a 7-day trip to Madeira that helps you:
- Use your limited time well
- See the island’s highlights without overthinking logistics
- Balance nature, relaxation, and culture In short: “Tell me what to do each day so I can enjoy Madeira without planning paralysis.”
- The approach you’re implicitly taking By asking me to plan a week, you’re implying a day-by-day itinerary approach:
- Fixed structure (Day 1, Day 2, etc.)
- Pre-selected sights and activities
- Optimized for coverage and flow
Strengths of this approach
- Easy to follow
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Great for first-time visitors
- Alternative approach Theme-based + flexible days approach. Instead of rigid daily plans:
- Group activities by theme (Nature, Sea, Culture, Chill)
- Assign each day a focus rather than a checklist
- Decide details the night before based on weather and mood
The main different is in the implicit assumption that the LLM has made on my answer and used to determine the following possible approaches.
Claude - Haiku 4.5
Let’s see how claude Haiku 4.5 will answer on both approaches:
Alternative Approach - Version 1
Same prompt version and same question, let’s see the answer
I understand. From now on, when you ask me something, I’ll:
- Repeat your original question exactly as you phrased it
- Suggest an alternative approach that could also address your question
- Compare the pros and cons of both approaches clearly
- Ask which approach you’d prefer me to use I’m ready to go! Feel free to ask your first question whenever you’re ready.
Your original question: “Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira”
Approach 1: Comprehensive Itinerary Create a detailed day-by-day itinerary with specific activities, restaurants, accommodations, and logistics (times, costs, booking links, transport details). This would be structured and ready to execute.
Approach 2: Framework & Recommendations Provide a flexible framework organized by interest areas (nature/hiking, culture, beaches, food, nightlife) with curated suggestions you can mix and match based on your preferences, budget, and pace—giving you more control to customize your own itinerary.
Comparison:
Aspect Approach 1 Approach 2 Pros Ready-to-follow; minimal planning needed; good pacing Personalized; adaptable to your interests; lets you discover; more flexible Cons Less flexible; may not match your preferences; feels prescriptive Requires more effort to organize; need to make decisions Best for People who want it done for them People who like customizing their trips
Which approach would you prefer? Or would you like me to combine elements of both?
The Claude answer is applying the correct pattern with a shorter comparison on a table form.
Alternative Approach - Version 2
Again, same prompt version and same question, let’s see the answer:
I appreciate that instruction—it’s a thoughtful way to approach problem-solving. I’ll do my best to follow it for writing requests going forward. To clarify how I’ll apply it: When you ask me to write something, I’ll:
- Identify the underlying problem you’re trying to solve and the approach you’re implying
- Suggest at least one alternative approach that could address that problem differently
- Compare the approaches — highlighting tradeoffs, pros/cons, and when each might be most appropriate
I’ll present these alternatives naturally within my response rather than in a rigid list format, unless you prefer otherwise. Feel free to let me know if you’d like me to adjust how I do this, or if there are specific writing tasks you’d like me to tackle with this approach in mind!
And, after the question
“Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira”
Here the answer
I’d like to understand what you’re really looking for before planning this out.
The underlying problem seems to be: you want a structured, enjoyable week in Madeira that makes good use of your time and budget. Your implied approach is probably a day-by-day itinerary covering major attractions and activities. But let me suggest an alternative framing: Instead of a fixed itinerary, what if we first clarified what kind of holiday you actually want?
Here are some different approaches:
Structured itinerary approach (what you likely asked for): A day-by-day plan hitting popular spots like Funchal, Pico Ruivo hikes, coastal villages, etc. This works well >if you like knowing exactly what’s happening, enjoy checking off experiences, and want to see the “must-sees.” Flexible framework approach: Instead, I could suggest 4-5 core experiences (hiking, local food, beach/coastal time, cultural exploration, relaxation) and let you mix them >based on weather and mood. This works better if you prefer spontaneity and want to adapt to how you’re feeling. Interest-driven approach: If I knew whether you’re primarily into hiking, beaches, culture, wine, food, relaxation, or photography, I could tailor recommendations much >more precisely rather than giving a generic overview. Before I plan it, could you tell me:*
- What’s your main draw to Madeira? (nature/hiking, beaches, culture, food, or a mix?)
- Are you traveling solo, with a partner, or with family?
- Do you prefer a structured schedule or flexibility?
- Any physical limitations on activities like hiking? This will help me create something actually tailored to your holiday rather than a generic week.
An interesting point Claude is asking for extra info to fine tune the possible options.
Mistral
Alternative Approach - Version 1
Same prompt same question:
Understood! From now on, I’ll structure my responses to your questions as follows:
- Your original question* (quoted exactly as you phrased it)
- An alternative approach or perspective* (how else the question could be addressed)
- Comparison of pros and cons (for both your original approach and the alternative)
- Your choice (I’ll ask which approach you’d like me to use for the response) This way, you can decide how you’d like me to proceed. Go ahead and ask your question!
Your Original Question: “Plan me a week of holiday in Madeira.”
Alternative Approach: Instead of a traditional itinerary focused on sightseeing and activities, I could design your week around themes (e.g., nature immersion, cultural deep dive, relaxation, or adventure). This would allow you to experience Madeira in a more personalized way, depending on your interests.
Mistral is pretty short and dry in the answer, providing the two possible approaches and leaving to the user the choice.
Alternative Approach - Version 2
Last test. Second version of prompt and same question on Mistral.
Underlying Problem & Your Approach Problem: You want to plan a relaxing and enjoyable week-long holiday in Madeira, likely seeking a mix of nature, culture, local experiences, and relaxation. Your Approach: You’re asking for a structured itinerary to maximize your time and ensure you don’t miss out on key attractions. Alternative Approach Alternative: Instead of a fixed day-by-day plan, you could opt for a flexible, theme-based itinerary (e.g., “Adventure Day,” “Cultural Day,” “Relaxation Day”). This allows you to adapt based on weather, energy levels, or spontaneous discoveries. Comparison:
Fixed Itinerary Theme-Based Itinerary ✅ Ensures you see all major attractions. ✅ More adaptable to mood/weather. ✅ Efficient use of time. ✅ Less pressure to stick to a schedule. ❌ Can feel rushed or rigid. ❌ Risk of missing out on must-see spots.
[…]
With the usual table at the bottom.
Conclusions
The prompt works, mostly in the first approach while the second seems less effective. All the LLM make try to analyse the underlying problem in the second version. Interesting is that Claude is asking, in the second version, further info to fine tune the answer.