← Learning Path / Step 8
Step 9 of 10 • ~2 min read
Structure a Mini SCR Story
Use a 3-part structure: Situation (where we are), Complication (what changed), Resolution (what we should do.
📚 THEORY
Even the clearest chart can fall flat if it’s presented as an isolated fact. Humans are wired for stories: beginnings, tension, resolution.
For a beginner, a simple three‑part structure: Situation → Complication → Resolution is enough to unlock that wiring.
- Situation sets the stage: what are we looking at, why now, and why it matters.
- Complication is the twist: what changed, what pattern you noticed, or what assumption the data challenges.
- Resolution is the landing: what you propose to do differently as a result.
When you write a couple of sentences or bullets in each of these three boxes, you can prevent common problems. This includes jumping into numbers with no background and ending without a clear ask.
This structure also makes your stories easier to re‑tell. A manager who heard your presentation can later summarise it to their boss. They will use the same arc to preserve your main point.
Over time, this habit helps you think in narrative units. It prevents disjointed observations. This practice makes all your communication stronger, not just data work.
“People don’t remember data, they remember how data made them feel and what it changed.”
✏️ AISHA’S APPLICATION – STEP 9 IN PRACTICE
Aisha now organizes her elements into a three-part spoken mini-story she can deliver in about two minutes.
Situation
“For the past year, ‘Handling Difficult Customers’ has been our core class for new agents. When we ran it at 10 am, we consistently had around 21–23 sign-ups per session, and feedback scores stayed between 4.5 and 4.7 out of 5.”
Complication
“Three months ago, we moved the class to 4 pm to reduce disruption. Since then, sign-ups have steadily declined to around 11–16 per session, even though feedback scores remain strong. The class content works, but fewer agents are making it to the room, likely because 4 pm clashes with peak call times and end-of-day fatigue.”
Resolution
“I recommend we test moving at least one ‘Handling Difficult Customers’ session per month back to a 10 am slot for the next two months, and monitor sign-ups and complaints. If we see sign-ups recover, we can consider making 10 am the default again.”
This gives participants a concrete template for applying SCR to a small dataset.
💡 Try it (now): Look at your story. Try to write down “Where we are now”. Consider “What has changed?” Finally, think about “What do you recommend?” Is this mini story clear to your audience?