Playbook: Challenge Deck Structure

Before reading this playbook, make sure you have looked through the presentation on Building Recommendation Decks (click here).

Below is a general structure for your challenge slide deck. Each section can have more than one slide, for example the next steps section might have various slides to describe each step to implement the recommendation.

💡

Note: Always create a storyboard first. Get feedback on your storyboard, then build the deck. When you're done building the deck, look over it to make sure it flows well, the design is strong, and the recommendations are supported with data. Get feedback again and iterate.

Here are the 8 main sections:

1. Title slide with descriptive 1-liner.

2. Executive summary including the objective, recommendation, and outcome(s).

3. Understanding the customer. This can include a story, quote, interview.

4. Describe what is happening today, what is the status quo? Where's the problem and opportunity? We want to understand the problem.

5. What are the major challenges and where should we focus? You can include data to validate these challenges.

6. Recommendation, include the objective you're driving and what metrics you plan on using to measure success. Use visuals, examples, and be specific.

7. What are the next steps? Outline in detail what should be done to implement your recommendations. This can also include: who to contact, resources to use, timeline, and milestones.

8. Personal note to the reader. You can include your overall thoughts, show them gratitude for giving you this opportunity, add your picture, email and LinkedIn.