What is the What/Why/Next framework?

It is a storytelling structure adapted from Gartner research that identifies the current state (What), explains the data-driven root cause (Why), and provides actionable recommendations (Next).

How does this skill help with board meetings?

It filters out operational noise and focuses on strategic priorities like revenue growth and ROI, ensuring data is presented in a language that senior leadership and board members understand.

Can I use this for technical incident reports or post-mortems?

Yes, it helps translate technical failures into depersonalized business impact statements that focus on structural problems and future solutions rather than individual blame.

Does this skill help with visual design?

While it doesn't generate images, it provides specific slide design principles, bullet point limits, and chart selection advice based on executive attention spans.

Executive Data Storytelling

Name: Executive Data Storytelling
Author: cameronsjo

bycameronsjo

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Productivity & Workflow

Transforms complex metrics into high-impact executive narratives using the Gartner-aligned What/Why/Next framework.

About

The Executive Data Storytelling skill enables professionals to bridge the communication gap between technical data analysis and strategic leadership decision-making. By implementing Gartner’s researched What/Why/Next framework, this skill helps you align operational metrics with C-suite priorities like growth, digital transformation, and financial performance. It provides templates for board memos, executive presentations, and quarterly business reviews, ensuring your data is presented with a clear 'so what' and actionable recommendations that drive executive support.

Key Features

Applies the Gartner What/Why/Next narrative structure to technical data
Aligns departmental metrics with CEO and ELT strategic priorities
Provides technical-to-executive analogies for complex concepts
Generates structured outlines for board memos and C-suite presentations
Offers visual design principles for high-impact, low-clutter slides
1 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Drafting board memos and business cases for resource or budget requests
Preparing quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and department performance updates
Translating technical analysis into executive-ready strategic insights

About

Key Features

Applies the Gartner What/Why/Next narrative structure to technical data
Aligns departmental metrics with CEO and ELT strategic priorities
Provides technical-to-executive analogies for complex concepts
Generates structured outlines for board memos and C-suite presentations
Offers visual design principles for high-impact, low-clutter slides
1 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Drafting board memos and business cases for resource or budget requests
Preparing quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and department performance updates
Translating technical analysis into executive-ready strategic insights