The Situation, Complication, Recommendation (SCR) Framework

Situation

(What’s happening?)

• Start with the facts of what’s happening, and company priorities.
• Focus on framing points the committee already knows and accepts.
• If you don’t start with agreement here, your next sections fall apart.

Complication

(Why do something about it today?)

• This is why the situation requires action, now.
• And, why things will get much worse if left unresolved.
• Without building enough tension here, any decision to change will stall.
• Make sure to outline root causes too, which sets up your recommendation.

Recommendation

(What do we do, and how do we start?)

• The specific course of action you're recommending.
• Which will often be more than just “buy my product.”
• It’ll include a set of dates, projects, and people invested.
• Plus a short word on proof points and outcomes after acting.

Put together, it’ll flow like this: