The Four Slide Types

Every slide in an executive deck is one of four types: recommendation, data, process, or appendix. Each type has a structural template. Using the wrong template for the content type is a structure error, not a design error. A recommendation slide built with the structural elements of a data slide will fail to produce a decision. A data slide built with the structural elements of a recommendation slide will confuse the evidence with the conclusion.

# The Four Slide Type Templates

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## TYPE 1: RECOMMENDATION SLIDE
Purpose: Deliver a specific decision request.

Structure:
- HEADLINE: The recommendation as a declarative sentence
  ("Approve $250K Phase 1 Funding by March 15")
- BODY: Three supporting bullets — strongest evidence, primary risk/mitigation, ask
- CALL-OUT: The deadline or decision consequence
  ("Q2 launch requires March 15 decision")
- No charts. No tables. One job: the recommendation.

---
## TYPE 2: DATA SLIDE
Purpose: Present evidence that supports the recommendation.

Structure:
- HEADLINE: The conclusion from the data, not a label for the chart
  ("Pilot Exceeded Targets: 83% Processing Time Reduction")
- BODY: One chart or table — primary visual, full bleed, maximum clarity
- CALL-OUT: The 'so what' — decision implication of the data shown
  ("Full deployment absorbs Q3 volume within current headcount")
- FOOTER: Source, date, sample size
- One visual only. One 'so what'. One job.

---
## TYPE 3: PROCESS SLIDE
Purpose: Show sequence, timeline, or implementation structure.

Structure:
- HEADLINE: The outcome the process delivers, not a label for the steps
  ("Three-Phase Rollout Delivers Full Capability by Q4 — Zero
   Disruption to Claims Volume")
- BODY: Visual sequence (timeline, swim lane, phase diagram) — labeled phases,
  key milestones, decision gates
- CALL-OUT: The critical path item or the risk the process mitigates
- No prose paragraphs. Phases, milestones, and labels only.

---
## TYPE 4: APPENDIX SLIDE
Purpose: Provide evidence for the skeptic who challenges specific claims.

Structure:
- HEADLINE: The specific claim this slide supports (match it to the main deck)
- BODY: Full data, methodology detail, or extended analysis
- SOURCE: Full citation, data provenance, methodology
- Design: Functional, not polished — appendix slides are reference material
- Rule: If it would not slow the main argument, it belongs in the appendix.