Choose a decision sequence

Begin with context, then the proposition, then evidence, then the requested next step. Put detail where it answers a question the reader is ready to ask. Avoid starting with a long company history when the meeting concerns a specific operational problem. Use section names that help someone return to a topic later. The pack should still make sense after the live presenter leaves the room.

Prepare two reading speeds

Give each section a clear headline and short summary, followed by the supporting detail. A reader scanning on a phone should understand the argument; a colleague reviewing later should be able to inspect the evidence. Keep appendices clearly referenced rather than treating them as a dumping ground. Test the order with someone unfamiliar with the project and ask what decision they think the pack is requesting. Their answer reveals whether the sequence works.

Put the guide to work

Prepare a short cover note that tells the recipient how to use the pack. Identify the main decision and the sections that provide supporting detail. A forwarded presentation often reaches people who missed the live meeting, so the reading sequence must carry enough context to stand alone.

Imagine this

Hypothetical example

A supplier arrives with forty slides but no clear request. For the next meeting, it reorganises the pack around the buyer’s operating problem, proposed service, delivery evidence and pilot scope. The conversation can then focus on unresolved requirements rather than deciphering the presentation.

Make it practical.

Use this checklist as you read. Checks are not stored.

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