BI-301c · Module 3

Narrative Quality Standards

3 min read

Every value narrative passes through three quality gates before customer delivery. Evidence gate: every quantitative claim has a source, every benchmark has a documented peer group, and every percentile has a statistical basis. Structure gate: the four-part sequence is complete, evidence layering meets the minimum standard, and at least one objection has been inoculated. Actionability gate: the narrative ends with at least three specific recommendations, each with draft language and implementation guidance. A narrative that passes all three gates meets the production standard regardless of which analyst produced it.

Do This

  • Run all three gates before every customer delivery — no exceptions for urgency or relationship
  • Document gate failures and fix them — every failure reveals a gap in the template or the methodology
  • Peer review narratives for Tier 1 accounts — the stakes warrant a second set of eyes on the evidence

Avoid This

  • Skip quality gates because the customer meeting is tomorrow — a flawed narrative damages credibility more than a delayed one
  • Accept qualitative claims that should be quantified — "above average" does not pass the evidence gate
  • Deliver narratives without action items — analysis without action is a report, not intelligence