The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

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there are three parts to every narrative:

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

Situation: What is the state of affairs today. Facts, data, and unambiguous background.Complication: What has changed that requires action. What is the problem?Resolution: What we need to do to resolve this complication.

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

The SCR Framework

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

A common tweak of the SCR format is to move the Resolution to the top, i.e. Resolution-Situation-Complication. This works best when your audience doesn’t need convincing and is ready to hear your recommendation immediately.Unlike a story, in a business context you’ll want to spend a limited amount of time on the S and C, so that you can get to the ... See more

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

let’s bring these two frameworks together:

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

And guess what? This ends up looking like a pyramid

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

This is what is known Minto Pyramid Principle:

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

Start with the recommendation/answer/ask upfrontBack up that recommendation with a handful of supporting argumentsBack up each of those supporting arguments up with data

Lenny Rachitsky • The Minto Pyramid Principle and the SCR Framework

Situation: What is the state of affairs today?Complication: What has changed that requires action?Resolution: Minto Pyramid-style: answer-first followed by supporting arguments.