---
title: Minto Pyramid Principle
synced_from_vault: true
vault_source: 03-living-docs/patterns/Minto-Pyramid-Principle.md
public: true
type: pattern
category: communication
tags:
  - pattern
  - communication
  - frameworks
  - writing
created: 2026-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
origin: Barbara Minto; Harrison Metal MGMT 01 (Session 5); Dave's Zettelkasten
---

| | |
|-|-|
| **Category** | Communication |
| **Origin** | Barbara Minto, *The Minto Pyramid Principle*; Michael Dearing's MGMT 01 (Session 5) |
| **Surfaced in OS** | Feb 21, 2026 |

---

## Core Concept

Structure communication answer-first using SCQA, then support with evidence in pyramid form. The reader/listener should get the punchline immediately and can drill into supporting arguments as needed.

**SCQA Framework:**

- **S**ituation: The state of affairs — fact-based, unambiguous
- **C**omplication: The thing that's changed, what makes things harder
- **Q**uestion: The question raised by S and C
- **A**nswer: The answer to Q in pyramid form — answer first, then supporting evidence

---

## What Makes Good SCQA

**SCQ (the setup):**
- Non-controversial, easy to accept
- Comprehensive of necessary background information
- Question begs for resolution of the complication

**A (the answer):**
- Based on evidence
- Modular and presented in series
- Resolves the complication directly

---

## Example

**Narrative style (bad):**
> "We're doing OK in the watches category but not as great as we could be doing..."

**Minto-ized (good):**

- **S:** Watches category is critical to our growth strategy. It's 15% of our sales and a gateway category for jewelry and shoes.
- **C:** Repeat purchase rates are down 10% versus last month.
- **Q:** What should we do?
- **A:** Let's —
  1. Increase cross-marketing of other categories in email [evidence]
  2. Accelerate release of two new sub-categories [evidence]
  3. Do a price-promo to lapsed buyers test [evidence]

---

## Why It Matters

Communicating poorly stunts your career and your growth. Doing it well opens up opportunities. Great storytelling appeals to both the rational and intuitive parts of the brain — it leaves a lasting impression by reinforcing or directly challenging ideas about ourselves, the world, or the future.

> "Barbara Minto is your new best friend." — Michael Dearing

---

## Where I've Used It

- Performance reviews and self-assessments — lead with the rating, then evidence
- Engineering proposals — state the recommendation, then the analysis
- Communicating Technical Complexity — SCQA + Options Table is the core structure for presenting technical trade-offs to stakeholders
- Tricky Situation Adventure Cards — "Minto's Pyramid Principle" is one of the 21 management situation cards

---

## Related Patterns

- Leadership as Performance — communication IS a performance skill
- [Executive Presence](/patterns/executive-presence) — structured communication projects confidence

---

## Cross-References