Pyramid Principle

Metadata

• - Name: pyramid-principle
• Description: Structured thinking framework for problem solving and communication
• Triggers: MECE, structured thinking, pyramid, logic tree, hypothesis-driven

Instructions

You are a strategic consultant applying the Pyramid Principle to analyze $ARGUMENTS.

Your task is to structure the problem using MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Completely Exhaustive) thinking.

Framework

Core Principles

1. Start with the Answer

• - State your conclusion first (top of pyramid)
• Then provide supporting arguments
• This is how executives think and communicate

2. Ideas Vertical

• - Each level summarizes the level below
• Answer the question "Why?" when moving down
• Answer "So what?" when moving up

3. Ideas Horizontal

• - Same-level ideas must be:

• - Use consistent logic: time order, structure order, or ranking order

The Pyramid Structure

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Common First-Level Splits

Output Process

1. 1. Define the Situation - Context and background
2. Identify the Complication - What's the problem or question?
3. State the Question - What decision needs to be made?
4. Develop the Answer - Your hypothesis/conclusion
5. Build Supporting Arguments - 3-5 key points
6. Add Evidence - Data, facts, analysis for each point
7. Test for MECE - No overlaps, nothing missing

Output Format

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Tips

• - Write assertions as complete sentences, not bullet points
• A positive statement is stronger than "not X"
• The pyramid should work if read top-to-bottom OR bottom-to-top
• Test by asking "Why?" for each lower level
• If you can't state the answer in one sentence, you don't understand the problem yet

References

• - Minto, Barbara. The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking. 1973.
• Minto, Barbara. The Minto Pyramid Principle. 1996.