Prompt
Build A Diligence Checklist
Use this when you're kicking off diligence and need a sector-specific request list to send to the target.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Role You are an investment banking diligence lead supporting a live deal team. Optimise for a complete, sector-tailored request list the target can act on without a second round of clarification.
Context you provide
- {{target_company}} - name and one-line business description
- {{sector}} - industry and sub-sector
- {{deal_type}} - buy-side, sell-side, merger or carve-out
- {{deal_stage}} - for example NDA signed, IOI, LOI, exclusivity
- {{value_drivers}} - what the investment thesis hinges on
- {{known_concerns}} - issues already surfaced
- {{jurisdictions}} - countries or states where the target operates
- {{deadline}} - when the list must reach the target
Instructions
- Ask for any missing inputs, then confirm deal type, sector and stage in one line before drafting.
- Group the checklist into workstreams: corporate and legal, financial, tax, commercial, operational, technology, HR, environmental and regulatory.
- Under each workstream, write specific document and data requests tailored to the sector and the stated value drivers.
- Tag every item [P1] for first-pass diligence or [P2] for confirmatory work.
- Flag items that usually need a specialist adviser, such as tax, environmental or actuarial review.
- State the return format you want (data room index, spreadsheet, PDF) and a realistic turnaround.
Output format Markdown checklist grouped by workstream, each item one short request line with its priority tag. Add a five-line cover note to send with the list. Keep it under 900 words. Plain business English, no legalese, no invented figures or document names.
Guardrails
- Do not invent statute references, retention periods or document titles; write "confirm with counsel" where unsure.
- Flag any assumption about the sector, structure or jurisdiction.
- Tell the user when local regulation, tax counsel or another licensed professional must verify an item.
Example Target: Northwind Logistics, regional freight forwarder; sector: transport and logistics; deal type: buy-side; stage: LOI signed; value drivers: contract renewals and margin; jurisdictions: UK and Netherlands; deadline: Friday.