Structuring thought
Point, support, example
Make an idea both understandable and credible.
The shape
- Point
- Support
- Example
Why that order
The point gives direction, the support gives reasoning, and the example makes an abstract problem concrete. An argument without an instance is hard to disagree with and equally hard to believe.
A worked example
- Point
- We need a clearer escalation process.
- Support
- Issues are raised through several channels, which delays response.
- Example
- Last week's production issue was reported in email, in Slack and in the ticketing system.
What usually goes wrong
Choosing an example that is vivid but not representative. One dramatic instance can carry an argument that the ordinary cases do not support.
Used in
Where this shape does its work in a real situation.
A framework tells you what shape the answer takes. It cannot tell you whether shape is what you are short of, and for most people it is not. Which one is yours, and whether a framework is the right instrument at all, is what a Discovery Call is for.
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