✍️ To Document or To Slide Deck? 📢
Spoiler Alert: Docs are the Winner
Docs v Decks
This Secret Knowledge Worker’s view:
💡 For internal communication, decks are inferior to documents.💡
Written communication is more effective than presentations.
Why Do I Say That?
Documents can convey more detailed and nuanced information.
Writing a document encourages clear thinking and distillation of ideas.
They are better for asynchronous communication (this means they can be shared any time) and decision-making.
And they allow for more in-depth analysis and discussion.
What’s the Problem with Decks?
The author often focuses too much on aesthetics rather than content.
They can lead to information loss when translating ideas into slide format.
May require additional commentary to be fully understood.
Can be difficult to digest without a presenter.
Sometimes they are used to "sell" ideas rather than communicate effectively.
Some (begrudging) Arguments in Favour of Decks:
Visual aids can help break down complex ideas.
Useful for live, in-person communication and storytelling.
They can be more engaging and help with information retention.
Effective for chunking information and highlighting key points.
Better suited for certain contexts, like conferences or external presentations.
Let’s Sit on the Fence:
The choice between decks and documents should depend on the context and purpose of the communication.
Some suggest using a combination of both, such as a written document with visual aids.
Others propose alternatives like one-paragraph summaries or recorded overviews.
And That’s Not All:
The quality of writing and presentation skills matter, regardless of the format.
Some companies have cultures that overvalue deck creation.
The trend towards shorter sentences and more concise communication was noted.
Earlier this week, on LinkedIn I shared a sweet parable about Sarah and Mike (fictitious names) to illustrate the advantages of docs over decks.
The story is a practical example of how the above plays out in real life.
