What is an SCR Framework? Have I ever seen it?

The SCR (Situation-Complication-Resolution) framework is used so widely because it mirrors the fundamental way humans process and engage with stories. This includes its use outside the corporate world, like in the movie industry. You can find it everywhere without you realizing it at all. Your parents or grandparents have read you fairy tales in the SCR framework!

You don’t believe it? Well, let’s see. Remember how the Little Red Riding Hood tale began? Before we dissect that fairy tale, let’s first discuss what the SCR framework is.

SCR Framework

• Situation: Set the stage with facts and context. What is the current state?
• Complication: Introduce the problem or challenge. Why does the status quo need to change?
• Resolution: Present the solution or recommendation. How do we proceed?

Let’s try it on a few Corporate world examples:

Example 1 – Cybersecurity Market Expansion

• Situation: The US enterprise cybersecurity market is growing at 20% CAGR.
• Complication: Company X is poorly positioned to capture this growth.
• Resolution: Company X should acquire a leading competitor and invest $X00 million to build capabilities and secure a winning market position

Example 2 – Postal Service Transformation

• Situation: Company X is experiencing unprecedented losses due to volume declines and rising costs.
• Complication: Without intervention, losses will worsen due to market trends and regulatory pressures.
• Resolution: Company X must grow volume with new products, improve productivity, increase workforce flexibility, and reduce procurement costs

Let’s look at a few Day-to-Day examples:

Example 1 – Resolving Customer Complaint

• Situation: A customer is unhappy with a product and has already tried customer service without satisfaction.
• Complication: The unresolved issue risks losing the customer and damaging the brand reputation.
• Resolution: The company follows up, offers a refund or replacement, and apologizes sincerely to restore trust

Example 2 – Improving Family Communication at Home

• Situation: Family members often miscommunicate, leading to missed appointments and frustration.
• Complication: Individuals have varying schedules and preferred communication ways.
• Resolution: The family sets up a shared digital calendar and agrees to a weekly planning session to improve coordination

Now, let’s go back to our Little Red Riding Hood tale?

Situation:

Little Red Riding Hood is sent by her mother. She needs to visit her sick grandmother. Her grandmother lives in a cottage on the other side of the woods. She is told to stay on the path and not talk to strangers.

Complication:

On her way, Little Red Riding Hood encounters a cunning wolf. Distracted by the wolf and the flowers he suggests she pick, she strays from the path. The wolf reaches the grandmother’s house first, eats the grandmother, and disguises himself as her. When Little Red Riding Hood arrives, she is deceived by the wolf in disguise and is also eaten.

Resolution:

A huntsman (or woodcutter) hears strange noises from the cottage. He enters and rescues both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. He does this by cutting open the sleeping wolf. The wolf is defeated. Little Red Riding Hood learns an important lesson. She realizes the importance of listening to her mother and not talking to strangers.

Summary

You see, you’ve heard it since you were a child and enjoyed it! What’s more, you remembered the story very well! Why?

The SCR framework’s simplicity and effectiveness make it applicable in everyday communication, education, journalism, and even personal storytelling. People use this structure intuitively. It helps others understand and empathize. It also aids in remembering the story.

The SCR framework is so widely used for a good reason. It reflects the way people naturally tell and absorb stories. This happens by setting the scene, introducing a challenge, and resolving it. This universal structure makes communication more straightforward, more persuasive, and more memorable, whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or cinemas.

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