Managers need to understand that behind the Pyramid Principle is structured thinking and expression. In such a complicated world, how to build a clear, simple, and elegant pyramid, how to think things clearly and clearly, is a great ability.
1. What is the Pyramid Principle
- We know that each pyramid has a spire, that is, a vertex, or the original center point, which can be layered down from the original center point of the pyramid. In the process of layering, a certain point of a certain layer will become the center point of its lower layer. We can call it the secondary center point. Around this secondary center point, continue to layer down, that is, the pyramid Each center point in and each level around the center point can form an independent structure.
- According to this characteristic of the pyramid, we apply it in our work life: to tell a thing, to describe a thing, there needs to be a central point, and this central point will be supported by some arguments. omission”, that is, there is no repetition of each other, and together they are not omitted. One of the arguments will become a secondary central point, and this secondary central point will be supported by some other sub-arguments. This is the pyramid principle.
- For example, when we write an article, we can set up a central theme, and around this theme, we put forward four major arguments ABCD; the A argument itself can be a secondary center point, which will be supported by the A1A2A3A4 argument, and the B argument itself can also be a secondary center. Points, will be supported by B1B2 arguments, so extended, like a pyramid.
The use of the pyramid principle
- Problem solving: When we try to solve a problem, it goes from top to bottom, bottom to top, several times. When going from the bottom to the top, we need to collect evidence, summarize the central idea, and build a solid pyramid. With this structure in place, problem solving is more efficient. When the pyramid is completed, the principle of "no duplication and no leakage" is not fulfilled in the re-examination, and which one is strengthened, so that the logic of the final solution to the problem is very clear.
- Goal management: For a relatively complex task, list a central goal, follow the pyramid principle, and decompose this central goal into multiple feasible small goals. Since each small goal does not repeat each other, it can be handed over to several project teams to complete in parallel, so that they will not repeat work and waste time and energy; Important locations and important content will not be missed. In this process, you only need to regularly check the progress and completion of each small goal, and the person in charge of each small goal will provide a report, summarize and arrange, and then build a solid goal pyramid.
Third, the management practice of the pyramid principle
- When discussing skill development with data engineers recently, this question came up: How to be a good data analyst? Focusing on this central theme, we first tried to divide it into three layers: 1. Cultivate product manager thinking; 2. Strengthen data professional ability; 3. Improve soft skills. For the second point of data professional ability, we continue to divide it into the following points: 2.1 data collection ability; 2.2 data development ability; 2.3 data warehouse construction ability; 2.4 data governance ability; 2.5 data application ability; 2.6 big data technology. The first and third layers are disassembled in the same way. Of course, it can also be broken down according to a certain sub-layer in 2.X, and try not to repeat or omit, so as to form a complete pyramid structure of data analyst skills.
in conclusion
The essence of the pyramid principle: the ideas at each level are the generalization of the ideas at the lower level; the ideas in the independent structure formed around each central point should logically belong to the same category; the ideas are layered from top to bottom should be in logical order. In a word, the Pyramid Principle is a structural and hierarchical thinking tool and a powerful tool in our management work. If you get something, give it a thumbs up