Storytelling By SCQA Framework & Minto Pyramid Principle
The SCQA Framework and Minto Pyramid Principle are communication frameworks and methodologies developed by Barbara Minto, a former McKinsey & Company consultant and author of The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking.
On this page, you’ll see how to tell a story with your presentation and why putting structure around your deck can make all the difference in the effectiveness of your slides.
SCQA framework
SCQA (Situation, Complication, Question, and Answer) Framework
(Hypothesis-Driven Design or Design Thinking:
S Situation: Start by identifying the current situation, the existing state of affairs, and the relevant context.
C Complication: Identify a difficulty or an issue that arises in the current situation. This complication could be a challenge, problem, or opportunity you want to address. → (Why presentation is needed)
Q Question: Formulate a question that clearly articulates the problem you are trying to solve or the opportunity you want to explore. The question should be specific and actionable.
A Answer: Resolution to the question.
The SCQA framework is often used in hypothesis-driven design and design-thinking processes to guide problem-solving and innovation efforts. It encourages a structured approach to understanding a situation, identifying the key challenges, and formulating relevant questions to drive the design and decision-making process.
- Top of the Pyramid: This is the key message or conclusion that you want to convey. It should be a concise and clear statement that answers the main question or topic of the communication.
- Supporting Arguments: Beneath the top of the pyramid, you present two to four major points that support the main message. These supporting Arguments should logically flow from the main message and provide the main sections or themes of your communication.
- Supporting Data or Facts: Each supporting argument is then supported by supporting data, which are further detailed and provide evidence or explanations for the supporting arguments. These supporting data can be expanded as needed.
- Details and Evidence: The supporting data can be further broken down into specific details, data, examples, or evidence that support each supporting data.
