Storymakers playbook

How real consulting decks align with the playbook.

Every analysed deck is matched against three layers of the Storymakers taxonomy: one of 20 narrative arcs at the deck level, multiple 53 loops as contiguous slide segments, and 226 tools at slide / loop / block layer. We also record any named consulting framework visible on each slide.

322
decks matched
2103
loops detected
25605
tool tags
1249
framework tags
739
unique frameworks

20 narrative arcs · ranked

primary arc per deck · click for decks using it
Strategy & Business
The Consultant's Gambit
217
Analysis & Information
The Triple Take
66
Analysis & Information
The Onion
33
Analysis & Information
The Mountain
3
Narrative & Transformation
The Sparkline
2
Strategy & Business
AIDA
1
Strategy & Business
The Sequoia Pitch
0
Strategy & Business
Problem-Agitate-Solution
0
Strategy & Business
Monroe's Motivated Sequence
0
Narrative & Transformation
The Hero's Journey
0
Narrative & Transformation
The Golden Circle
0
Narrative & Transformation
The Transformation Tale
0
Narrative & Transformation
The Pixar Pitch
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Overcoming the Monster
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Rags to Riches
0
Booker's 7 Plots
The Quest
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Voyage and Return
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Comedy
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Tragedy
0
Booker's 7 Plots
Rebirth
0
218 in Strategy & Business
102 in Analysis & Information
2 in Narrative & Transformation

53 loops · how segments are built

each deck contains multiple loops
Consulting Framework
667 in 282 decks
Logical Reasoning
344 in 171 decks
Comparison
328 in 209 decks
Analysis
201 in 139 decks
Narrative
133 in 112 decks
Urgency
132 in 118 decks
Validation
106 in 79 decks
Vision
61 in 55 decks
Causation
46 in 43 decks
Persuasion
25 in 24 decks
Change Management
21 in 20 decks
Risk Management
14 in 14 decks
Explanation
10 in 8 decks
Competitive
9 in 9 decks
Decision Making
6 in 6 decks
#1
Logical Reasoning
02_pattern_hunter
Group multiple pieces of evidence that together point to a pattern or conclusion
325165 decks
Best examples ↓
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#2
Analysis
06_zoom_in
Start broad, then progressively focus on specific details that prove your point
164114 decks
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#3
Comparison
04_tale_two_worlds
Show the gap between two states to drive urgency or highlight opportunity
163132 decks
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#4
Consulting Framework
41_so_what_cascade
Chain insights together, each answering 'so what?' until you reach the actionable conclusion
144108 decks
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#5
Consulting Framework
40_mece_breakdown
Divide a complex topic into mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive categories
118109 decks
Best examples ↓
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#6
Narrative
03_aha_moment
Establish a tension, present data, then deliver the insight that changes everything
11098 decks
Best examples ↓
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#7
Consulting Framework
34_segmentation_split
Divide a whole into meaningful segments to reveal hidden patterns
10488 decks
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#8
Comparison
39_benchmark_gap
Compare performance against best-in-class to quantify the opportunity
8681 decks
Best examples ↓
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#9
Urgency
15_why_now
Create temporal urgency by proving that the window of opportunity is opening or closing
7977 decks
Best examples ↓
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#10
Comparison
21_before_after
Show the dramatic contrast between the old way and the new way through side-by-side comparison
7970 decks
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#11
Validation
09_precedent
Use historical or external examples to validate your approach
7050 decks
Best examples ↓
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#12
Urgency
27_cost_of_inaction
Quantify what happens if the audience does nothing
5349 decks
Best examples ↓
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#13
Consulting Framework
33_build_up
Start from zero and add components to arrive at a total
5042 decks
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#14
Consulting Framework
47_quick_win_big_bet
Separate initiatives into immediate wins and longer-term strategic bets
4948 decks
Best examples ↓
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#15
Consulting Framework
36_maturity_curve
Show where you are on a progression and what it takes to reach the next level
4646 decks
Best examples ↓
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#16
Vision
11_golden_circle
Invert the typical pitch by starting with why you exist, rather than what you do
3837 decks
Best examples ↓
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#17
Analysis
10_iceberg
Reveal that the visible problem is merely a symptom of a deeper root cause
3735 decks
Best examples ↓
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#18
Consulting Framework
35_scenario_fork
Present multiple futures based on different assumptions or decisions
3129 decks
Best examples ↓
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#19
Consulting Framework
30_2x2_matrix
Plot options on two critical dimensions to reveal the optimal quadrant
2828 decks
Best examples ↓
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#20
Causation
13_domino_effect
Demonstrate how a single small strategic move triggers a cascade of positive outcomes
2625 decks
Best examples ↓
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#21
Persuasion
12_myth_buster
Address a common misconception head-on to clear the room for a new truth
2524 decks
Best examples ↓
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#22
Vision
24_time_machine
Transport the audience to a future state where your solution has already succeeded
2323 decks
Best examples ↓
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#23
Causation
26_ripple_effect
Show how impact spreads from individual to team to organization to market
2020 decks
Best examples ↓
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#24
Validation
51_voice_of_customer
Let customer quotes and feedback drive the narrative and validate the insight
1919 decks
Best examples ↓
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#25
Validation
23_expert_witness
Borrow credibility from a recognized authority to validate your position
1716 decks
Best examples ↓
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#26
Consulting Framework
31_waterfall_value
Break down a big number into its component drivers to show where value is created or lost
1717 decks
Best examples ↓
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#27
Narrative
05_the_reveal
Build mystery and anticipation, then deliver a surprising or powerful conclusion
1616 decks
Best examples ↓
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#28
Logical Reasoning
20_paradox_resolver
Introduce a seeming contradiction that captures attention, then resolve it with a deeper truth
1614 decks
Best examples ↓
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#29
Change Management
17_pivot
Validate a change in direction by showing it is a reaction to new intelligence, not failure
1413 decks
Best examples ↓
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#30
Consulting Framework
37_root_cause_tree
Branch out from a problem to its multiple contributing causes
1312 decks
Best examples ↓
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226 tools · 3 levels of abstraction

20795 Slide tags (100 unique) · 2746 Loop tags (86 unique) · 2064 Block tags (54 unique)
Slide tools
109 in taxonomy
Action Titles core
7252 · 317d
Concrete Language
1664 · 248d
Annotation
1617 · 308d
Visual Hierarchy
1072 · 289d
Color Strategy
905 · 242d
Small Multiples
780 · 267d
Chart Selection Guide
746 · 195d
Von Restorff Effect
738 · 251d
Metaphor & Analogy core
559 · 178d
Credibility Transfer
510 · 195d
Picture Superiority Effect
482 · 181d
Contrast Principle
419 · 172d
Authority Bias
383 · 187d
Core Message Extraction
373 · 182d
Emotional Appeal
350 · 174d
So What? Test core
340 · 99d
Gestalt Principles
294 · 146d
Closing Techniques
288 · 212d
Law of Similarity
259 · 112d
Opening Hooks
191 · 145d
Loop tools
45 in taxonomy
Contrast Pairs core
527 · 261d
Chunking
434 · 226d
Parallel Structure
201 · 111d
Inductive Reasoning core
170 · 126d
Data Story Arc core
166 · 132d
Tricolon
107 · 73d
Callback
103 · 78d
Causal Chain
86 · 68d
Information Gap Theory
71 · 65d
Aha! Moment
51 · 50d
Antithesis
49 · 38d
Build-Up (Gradatio)
41 · 37d
The Turn
40 · 33d
Argument from Analogy
38 · 19d
Anaphora
37 · 21d
Foreshadowing
36 · 28d
Payoff
35 · 29d
Progressive Disclosure
32 · 28d
Goal Gradient Effect
24 · 21d
Tension Management
23 · 22d
Block tools
72 in taxonomy
The Rule of Three
281 · 176d
MECE Principle core
263 · 155d
Three Pillars core
240 · 155d
Curiosity Gap
197 · 95d
Pyramid Principle core
151 · 138d
SCQA Framework core
137 · 134d
Before-After-Bridge
93 · 68d
Loss Aversion
91 · 76d
Big Idea Formula core
85 · 71d
Governing Thought
77 · 66d
Storytelling Effect
58 · 33d
Social Proof
45 · 33d
Negativity Bias
42 · 38d
Issue Tree
33 · 27d
Anchoring Bias
32 · 28d
Problem-Agitate-Solve (PAS)
28 · 26d
Stakeholder Mapping
24 · 17d
Scarcity
21 · 16d
Pareto Principle (80/20)
20 · 18d
Audience Definition core
17 · 17d

Frameworks in the wild

open vocabulary · top 40 of 739 unique
752x2 Matrix · 65 decks 49Maturity Model · 37 decks 43Value Chain · 24 decks 18Waterfall Chart · 15 decks 12B2C Elements of Value · 1 decks 11The A List Framework · 1 decks 11HFS Horizons · 2 decks 10Three Pillars · 9 decks 10Three Horizons · 7 decks 9PMDR Alignment Scale · 1 decks 9BCG 5 Success Dimensions for Climate Tech · 1 decks 7Total Enterprise Reinvention · 7 decks 7Simpler, Better, More Balanced · 1 decks 7Customer Journey Map · 7 decks 7Accenture Resilience Index · 2 decks 6Flatten-Fight-Future (BCG) · 1 decks 6Five Imperatives for Gen AI Reinvention · 1 decks 5Everest Group PEAK Matrix · 1 decks 4Wise Pivot · 3 decks 4Sustainability DNA · 1 decks 4Six Sigma · 1 decks 4Scenario Planning Matrix · 1 decks 4Scenario Planning · 4 decks 4Scenario Matrix · 2 decks 4S-Curve · 1 decks 4Jobs to Be Done · 2 decks 4Flywheel · 3 decks 4Flatten-Fight-Future · 2 decks 4Compute Index · 1 decks 4Capability Impact Heatmap · 1 decks 4BCG Procurement House · 2 decks 4BCG Deploy-Reshape-Invent · 3 decks 4BCG Cascading Value Model · 1 decks 48 Levers of Efficiency · 1 decks 42x2 Matrix (Bubble) · 2 decks 3Waterfall Bridge · 2 decks 3Waterfall / Value Bridge · 2 decks 3Waterfall (Value Bridge) · 3 decks 3Venn Diagram · 3 decks 3Timeline · 1 decks

Deep dives · pick a deck

clear
Bessemer
2025 Bessemer Venture Partners State of AI 2025
Concise BVP thought-leadership deck that aligns well with Storymakers: insight-led action titles, a clean Triple Take arc (data -> predictions -> founder actions), and parallel structure across the prediction sequence -- though it leans on header-only slides rather than evidence-rich storyboards.
The Triple Take · 13p 85%
Bessemer
2021 Bessemer Venture Partners State of Cloud 2021
Bessemer's State of Cloud 2021 is a thought-leadership report that aligns moderately with Storymakers: clear action titles throughout, a Triple Take (facts then implications then action) macro arc, and several proprietary frameworks (Good/Better/Best, Flywheel) that double as Storymakers loops. It leans heavier on data-density evidence stacking than on tight narrative tension or contrast pairs.
The Triple Take · 71p 80%
BenedictEvans
2025 Benedict Evans 2025 Spring AI eats the world
Benedict Evans's exploratory analyst deck loosely follows a Triple Take (What -> So What -> Now What) signposted by three section dividers, but is built around posing questions rather than recommending action - alignment with Storymakers is moderate: strong action titles and rule-of-three circles, weak on classical consulting frameworks and explicit calls to action.
The Triple Take · 59p 78%
BenedictEvans
2022 Benedict Evans 2022 The New Gatekeepers
A trend-analyst keynote that aligns strongly with Storymakers at the macro (clear three-act Triple Take, three-pillar agenda, anaphora-driven loops) and at the slide level (action titles, Tufte data-ink discipline, Von Restorff colour highlights) — but it deliberately avoids consultant rhetorical scaffolding like SCQA, recommendations, or named frameworks beyond passing JTBD/Christensen citations.
The Triple Take · 103p 82%
BenedictEvans
2013 Benedict Evans 2013 Mobile is Eating the World
Strong analyst-style deck with Triple-Take alignment: every slide carries an action title and the structure moves from data to implications to a 'next platform' call. Loop-level it leans heavily on Pattern Hunter (stacking evidence) plus a memorable Tale-of-Two-Worlds contrast — but it lacks classic consulting frameworks and an explicit recommendation/decision moment, so Storymakers fit is partial.
The Triple Take · 74p 75%
Barclays · 2026
Q125 Results Presentation
A textbook IR earnings deck: clear action titles and disciplined waterfall/segmentation visuals make it Storymakers-aligned at the slide level, but it lacks any genuine problem-solution arc — best read as a Triple Take (Facts -> So What -> Now What) with a Pattern Hunter / Segmentation engine in the middle.
The Triple Take · 48p 70%
Barclays · 2024
HY24 BBPLC Client Information
Investor-relations credit info deck that loosely follows a Triple Take spine (facts → implications → creditor positioning) but is mostly a stacked-evidence pattern; aligns with Storymakers via strong action titles and contrast-principle visuals, but lacks any complication, narrative tension, or call-to-action.
The Triple Take · 9p 60%
Barclays · 2025
FY24 Results and Progress Update Presentation
A polished IR/earnings deck that maps cleanly to the Triple Take arc (Facts -> Implications -> Action) and leans heavily on action titles, annotated waterfalls, repeating divisional small-multiples and a proprietary 'Simpler, Better, More balanced' maturity framework — strong execution on Storymakers principles, though loop variety is narrow and persuasion devices are minimal because the audience is investors who already buy the structure.
The Triple Take · 85p 80%
Barclays · 2024
Barclays US Consumer Bank 2024 Barclays Travel Rewards and Loyalty Report
A clean, headline-led research report that loosely follows a Triple-Take arc (facts -> three numbered implications -> action), with strong action titles on findings pages and a clear closing CTA, but no formal SCQA setup or named consulting frameworks.
The Triple Take · 10p 78%
Barclays · 2023
Barclays Q12023 FI Presentation
Classic fixed-income IR deck: rigorous Pyramid-Principle structure (big idea on slide 3, six evidence sections, ESG outlook), strong action titles throughout, but with no Problem/Complication beat — alignment with Storymakers is partial because the deck reports results rather than makes a persuasive case.
The Triple Take · 51p 55%
Barclays · 2025
Barclays Q1 2025 Review of Shareholder Activism 15 04 2025
A classic investment-bank market-intelligence bulletin: tightly executed Triple Take with strong action titles, callouts and segmentation, but no explicit Storymakers narrative arc, no SCQA framing and no recommendation - alignment is structural rather than methodological.
The Triple Take · 23p 85%
Barclays · 2023
Barclays Bank PLC H12023 Client Information
An IR/credit information pack that presents facts cleanly with action-titled charts and authority citations, but lacks a problem-solution narrative arc - partial fit to Storymakers, strong on slide-level craft, weak on arc tension.
The Triple Take · 12p 60%
Barclays · 2025
Barclays Bank PLC FY24 Client Information
A Barclays IR disclosure pack masquerading as a deck — strong action titles and clean charts give each slide a fact+implication shape (Triple Take), but it lacks any 'Now What' / call to action and reads as inductive evidence stacking ('Pattern Hunter') rather than a narrative arc.
The Triple Take · 9p 50%
Barclays · 2023
230911 mexico ir presentation
A polished IR deck that aligns well with Triple Take (Mexico facts -> HSBC implications -> financial action) and uses Storymakers patterns liberally (action titles, small multiples, von Restorff highlighting), but lacks an explicit problem/complication or next-steps beat, so it sits halfway between Triple Take and a partial Consultant's Gambit.
The Triple Take · 14p 70%
Barclays · 2023
20230215 Q422 FI Investor Presentation vFFF
Classic FI investor deck: Pyramid-Principle answer up front (three priorities, p.4) followed by section-by-section evidence with strong action titles on nearly every slide. It maps loosely to Triple Take (Facts → Implications → Action) but lacks dramatic arc beats — alignment with Storymakers is structural (action titles, three pillars, scenario fork, expert-witness via rating agencies) more than narrative.
The Triple Take · 56p 70%
Barclays · 2023
20230215 Barclays FY22 Results Presentation
Classic IR earnings deck with strong pyramid-principle headline-then-evidence structure, action titles on every page and clean charting, but no real narrative arc — facts dominate, implications and call-to-action are compressed into a single Outlook page.
The Triple Take · 51p 55%
Bain · 2021
e-Conomy SEA 2021 Roaring 20s: The SEA Digital Decade
A polished Bain/Google/Temasek industry research report that loosely follows Triple Take (facts, sustainability implications, $1T outlook + country proof), with very strong action-titles discipline and a sustained nautical metaphor, but driven by data-cataloguing more than a Storymakers-style argument arc.
The Triple Take · 126p 78%
Bain · 2020
e-Conomy SEA 2020 At full velocity: Resilient and racing ahead
Bain/Google/Temasek's annual research report follows a Triple Take arc - facts, implications, action - with strong action titles and consistent Pyramid-style top-down framing, but the macro narrative is a research scan more than a single recommendation, and the long country appendix dilutes the central story.
The Triple Take · 128p 78%
Bain · 2023
Digital Revolution Awards
Bain's industry thought-leadership report shows partial Storymakers alignment: strong action titles, rule-of-three (Customer/Country/Companies) spine, and a MECE B2C Elements of Value pyramid for trend categorization, but it lacks a Consultant's-Gambit problem-to-solution arc and offers only a thin 'Now What' close.
The Triple Take · 36p 65%
Bain · 2018
Altagamma 2018 Worldwide Luxury Market Monitor
Bain's Altagamma 2018 deck aligns moderately well with Storymakers Triple Take: a clear Facts→Implications→Action arc anchored by a strong p8 governing thought and a textbook 3-mantra closer, but the implications middle is a long six-theme march of mostly current/future contrast charts rather than a tightly looping narrative.
The Triple Take · 51p 80%
Bain · 2017
Altagamma 2017 Worldwide Luxury Market Monitor
Bain's market monitor aligns moderately with Storymakers: strong action titles, MECE seven-theme spine and an explicit Triple-Take payoff (data → 'on a page' → Monday morning agenda), but the middle stretches read as data dumps rather than tightly engineered loops, and the recommendation lands as light advisory bullets rather than a directive Hero's-Journey close.
The Triple Take · 47p 78%
Bain · 2017
2017 China Luxury Market Study
A textbook Bain pyramid-principle market study: 5-message answer-first summary, then evidence-stack loops per message, ending with a callback synthesis. Aligns well with the Triple Take arc and Pyramid Principle block, but lacks a sharp problem framing or single transformative narrative.
The Triple Take · 22p 75%
Bain · 2011
2011 China Luxury Market Study
Bain market study aligns moderately with Storymakers via a clean Triple Take (facts → implications → action) but leans on a market-research format: heavy data section, MECE trend list, and a closing implications matrix rather than a tightly-arced consultant pitch.
The Triple Take · 27p 78%
BCG · 2020
True-Luxury Global Consumer Insights 7th Edition
Strong Triple-Take alignment (Facts -> Implications -> Action) with consulting-style action titles and BCG visual rigor; weakest at the 'Action' beat (single recommendations slide vs the rich data sections). Loop-level patterns are textbook: 2x2 matrices, before/after, tale-of-two-worlds.
The Triple Take · 33p 85%