Me? Do you want me to distil complex information into a simpler message? Embrace the challenge today. What do you want me to do — and where should I start?

  • Did you want me to edit the content, and strip out unnecessary words?
  • OK, what about adding powerful imagery?
  • Or constructing a tight, logical argument for decision-makers?

These three options alone seem exclusive. The person who approaches us to “improve” or “make this presentation ‘pop’” (ugh) might not know what they want. They may need a fresh pair of eyes on their work and feel exhausted. Shortcuts help you extract and organise valuable points for an impactful, structured presentation.

You can perform a content edit — tools like Grammarly and Hemingway app can help you. But what if you need to sharpen the logic of your document? Or improve the “punchline” — the main point, the “so what”?

This is an example of a lengthy document, with key points buried within mounds of unnecessary content.
Grammarly and Hemingway app would have a field day here — this content was deliberately bulked out. This simulates the lengthy documents and presentations you might have to deal with.

The Minto Pyramid Principle is one shortcut. Barbara Minto created this principle while working for McKinsey & Co 1. This principle is instrumental in helping you organise otherwise overwhelming information into helpful buckets. These buckets are the “why”, “where” and “how”. Each of these buckets supports a single main point.

This is one way to present the Minto Principle to construct an argument. See Allan Owens’ video on YouTube (under Human Factors Advisory) for a walkthrough of how to apply the Minto Principle to complex documents.
Source: Allan Owens, www.humanfactorsadvisory.com.au

We examine one way to apply the Minto Principle. Before starting, carefully consider if you have clearly defined your problem. Have you a clear definition of your problem?

You might hold a complicated technical specification in your hands (or on-screen). Or you might have a rather dreary and lengthy PowerPoint deck. Is the main point in this document clear? Can you identify the problem the statements in this document are trying to solve?

The Minto principle is effectively a logic tree. At the very top of the pyramid, you can state your “so what”. Your “so what” is your main point. This point may be a request — such as a request to change or to seek funding. This statement or request is supported by logical and supportive points.

This is how we extract key points from our lengthy content. We place key points into one of three “buckets”: why, where or how. Allan Owens, www.humanfactorsadvisory.com.au

These points belie the research and clear thinking needed to lead to your main point.

Here is a brief video of our analysis and a presentation — all in around 90 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Py_U5UKsL8&t=2s

Distilling complexity into simplicity is a powerful skill. By using the Minto Pyramid Principle we extracted the main points into a concise presentation. This structure serves as a shortcut. It helps us organise points under “why”, “where” and “how”. All points ultimately support our presentation’s main statement.Aim to keep your pyramid on a single page. You may seek to add or remove points. Your single page gives you the opportunity to consider your thinking.

You may also consider if your supporting points are mutually exclusive, yet collectively exhaustive (MECE) 2. The MECE concept again is from Barbara Minto.

With clear thinking and thorough analysis, you are on the way to a powerful argument. Your efforts bring you closer to balancing concise points with comprehensive reasoning. This part of the pyramid supports and strengthens your presentation’s main point.

Could you find the structure from the Minto Principle useful 3? Could this principle be your shortcut in revealing and clarifying your thinking?

Our book — The Change Manager’s Companion — is available now. You can also check out our online course on Change Management.

References

1. The Minto Pyramid Principle: A powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents. http://barbaraminto.com/concept.html.  2. Barbara Minto: “MECE: I invented it, so I get to say how to pronounce it” | McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/alumni/news-and-insights/global-news/alumni-news/barbara-minto-mece-i-invented-it-so-i-get-to-say-how-to-pronounce-it.  3. Barbara Minto Pyramid Principle summary and structure | toolshero. https://www.toolshero.com/communication-skills/minto-pyramid-principle/.