Big 3 Consulting Style Report Generation Guidelines

🎯 Overview

This document establishes the gold standard for generating professional consulting reports that mirror the quality, structure, and presentation excellence of top-tier strategy consulting firms. These guidelines ensure every StratiqX report delivers the same caliber of strategic intelligence that Fortune 500 companies expect from premier consulting organizations.

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🏛️ The Premier Consulting Standard

What Makes Top-Tier Reports Exceptional

Leading strategy consulting firms have refined their approach over decades to create reports that are:

• Immediately actionable for C-level executives
• Structured for rapid comprehension using proven frameworks
• Visually compelling with data-driven insights
• Strategically focused on business impact
• Professionally formatted to enterprise standards

Core Principles

1. Pyramid Principle (Top-Down Communication)

Start with conclusions, then provide supporting evidence in logical hierarchy:

Executive Summary (The "So What?")
├── Key Finding 1
│   ├── Supporting Evidence A
│   ├── Supporting Evidence B
│   └── Supporting Evidence C
├── Key Finding 2
│   ├── Supporting Evidence A
│   └── Supporting Evidence B
└── Key Finding 3
    ├── Supporting Evidence A
    ├── Supporting Evidence B
    └── Supporting Evidence C

2. MECE Framework (Structured Analysis)

Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive structure ensures:

• No overlap between sections
• Complete coverage of the topic
• Clear categorization of all elements
• Logical flow from analysis to recommendations

3. Issue-Based Problem Solving (Solution-Focused)

Focus on the core business questions:

• What is the real problem?
• Why does it matter?
• What should be done?
• How should it be implemented?

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📋 Document Structure Standards

Required Document Elements

Every StratiqX report must include these elements in this exact order:

1. Executive Summary (1-2 pages)

• Situation: Current state and context
• Complication: Key challenges or opportunities
• Question: Critical business questions addressed
• Answer: Core recommendations and expected impact

2. Table of Contents

• Clear section navigation
• Page number references
• Subsection hierarchy

3. Situation Analysis

• Current state assessment
• Market context and dynamics
• Competitive landscape overview

4. Key Findings

• Data-driven insights
• Critical success factors
• Risk assessment

5. Strategic Recommendations

• Prioritized action items
• Implementation roadmap
• Resource requirements
• Expected outcomes

6. Implementation Plan

• Timeline and milestones
• Responsibility matrix
• Success metrics
• Risk mitigation

7. Appendices

• Supporting data and analysis
• Methodology details
• Additional charts and exhibits

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✍️ Writing Style Guidelines

Executive Communication Standards

Tone and Voice

• Authoritative but accessible: Confident without being arrogant
• Action-oriented: Every sentence should drive toward decisions
• Precise and concise: No unnecessary words or jargon
• Future-focused: Emphasize outcomes and impact

Language Requirements

✅ Use These Patterns:

"Our analysis reveals three critical opportunities..."
"Based on comprehensive market research..."
"Implementation of these recommendations will..."
"We recommend prioritizing initiatives that..."
"Expected impact includes 15-25% improvement in..."

❌ Avoid These Patterns:

"We think that maybe..."
"It appears that possibly..."
"There might be some opportunities..."
"Perhaps the company could consider..."

Sentence Structure

• Average 15-20 words per sentence
• Start with action verbs when possible
• Use active voice consistently
• Lead with conclusions, then provide evidence

Section-Specific Writing Standards

Executive Summary

Template Structure:
[Company] faces [situation] in [context]. Our analysis of [scope] reveals [key findings]. We recommend [core recommendations] to achieve [expected outcomes]. Implementation requires [timeline] and [resources], delivering [quantified benefits].

Example:
TechCorp faces margin pressure in the competitive SaaS market. Our analysis of operations, financials, and market positioning reveals three strategic opportunities. We recommend consolidating product lines, optimizing pricing, and expanding enterprise sales to achieve 20-30% margin improvement. Implementation requires 12-18 months and $2M investment, delivering $15M annual value.

Key Findings

Structure: Finding + Evidence + Implication

Example:
"Customer acquisition costs have increased 40% year-over-year (Finding). Marketing efficiency has declined across all channels, with digital conversion rates dropping from 3.2% to 1.9% (Evidence). Without intervention, profitability will erode by 15% annually (Implication)."

Recommendations

Structure: Action + Rationale + Impact + Timeline

Example:
"Implement dynamic pricing optimization (Action) to capture 15-20% more value from existing customer segments (Rationale). Expected revenue increase of $3-5M annually (Impact) with 6-month implementation timeline (Timeline)."

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📊 Visual Design Standards

Chart and Graph Guidelines

Premier Consulting Style Charts

• Simple and clean with minimal design elements
• Professional color palette with accent colors for emphasis
• Clear titles that state the conclusion
• Source attribution on every chart
• Consistent formatting across all exhibits

Chart Title Format

Structure: [Insight] supports [recommendation]

Examples:
"Revenue concentration in enterprise segment supports expansion strategy"
"Customer churn acceleration indicates urgent retention focus needed"
"Operating margin improvement demonstrates operational excellence opportunity"

Color Standards

Primary Palette:
- Strategic Blue: #1f4788
- Growth Green: #0f5132  
- Innovation Orange: #e07a00

Supporting Colors:
- Dark Gray: #2c3e50
- Light Gray: #95a5a6
- Success Green: #27ae60
- Warning Red: #e74c3c
- Neutral: #7f8c8d

Background:
- White: #ffffff
- Light Background: #f8f9fa

Chart Types by Use Case

Purpose	Recommended Chart Type	Professional Standard
Trends Over Time	Line Chart	Clean lines, minimal gridlines
Comparisons	Bar Chart	Horizontal bars for readability
Composition	Pie/Doughnut	Max 5 segments, others grouped
Relationships	Scatter Plot	Clear trend lines where applicable
Process Flow	Waterfall	Step-by-step value creation
Performance	Dashboard	KPI tiles with trend indicators

Visual Hierarchy

Typography Standards

H1 Headers (Section Titles):
- Font: Arial/Helvetica, 24px, Bold
- Color: #1f4788 (Strategic Blue)
- Spacing: 24px above, 16px below

H2 Subheaders:
- Font: Arial/Helvetica, 18px, Bold  
- Color: #2c3e50 (Dark Gray)
- Spacing: 20px above, 12px below

Body Text:
- Font: Arial/Helvetica, 11px, Regular
- Color: #2c3e50 (Dark Gray)
- Line Height: 1.4
- Paragraph Spacing: 12px

Captions and Sources:
- Font: Arial/Helvetica, 9px, Italic
- Color: #7f8c8d (Neutral Gray)

Layout Standards

• Margins: 1" on all sides
• Column Width: 6.5" for single column
• Image Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for print quality
• White Space: Generous spacing between elements
• Alignment: Left-aligned text, centered charts

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📈 Data Presentation Excellence

Strategic Data Storytelling

The "So What?" Test

Every chart and data point must answer:

1. What does this mean?
2. Why should executives care?
3. What action should be taken?

Data Hierarchy

1. Executive Summary Numbers (3-5 key metrics)
2. Supporting KPIs (10-15 metrics)
3. Detailed Analysis (unlimited supporting data)
4. Appendix Data (comprehensive backup)

Financial Analysis Standards

Required Financial Exhibits

1. P&L Impact Analysis

   • Revenue impact breakdown
   • Cost reduction opportunities
   • EBITDA improvement potential

2. Cash Flow Projections

   • 3-year impact analysis
   • Investment requirements
   • Payback period calculation

3. ROI Analysis

   • Net present value calculation
   • Internal rate of return
   • Risk-adjusted scenarios

Financial Chart Templates

Revenue Bridge Chart:

[Starting Revenue] → [+Growth Initiatives] → [+Pricing Optimization] → [+New Markets] → [-Market Headwinds] → [Projected Revenue]

Cost Waterfall:

[Current Costs] → [-Process Optimization] → [-Technology Automation] → [-Vendor Renegotiation] → [+Growth Investments] → [Optimized Costs]

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🎯 Strategic Framework Application

Comprehensive Analysis Framework (7S Model)

Ensure comprehensive analysis across:

1. Strategy: Direction and competitive advantage
2. Structure: Organizational design
3. Systems: Processes and workflows
4. Shared Values: Culture and mission
5. Style: Leadership approach
6. Staff: Human resources and capabilities
7. Skills: Core competencies

Growth-Share Matrix Analysis

Categorize business units/products:

• Stars: High growth, high market share
• Cash Cows: Low growth, high market share
• Question Marks: High growth, low market share
• Dogs: Low growth, low market share

Porter's Five Forces (Universal)

Analyze competitive dynamics:

1. Threat of New Entrants
2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
3. Bargaining Power of Customers
4. Threat of Substitute Products
5. Competitive Rivalry

Value Chain Analysis

Break down activities into:

• Primary Activities: Operations that directly create value
• Support Activities: Operations that enable primary activities
• Margin Analysis: Where value is created vs. cost incurred

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🔧 Implementation Guidelines

AI Content Generation Standards

Prompt Engineering for Premier Quality

const consultingPrompts = {
  executiveSummary: `
    Generate an executive summary following pyramid principle:
    1. Start with situation and key challenges
    2. Present 3-5 core findings with quantified impact
    3. Provide specific, actionable recommendations
    4. Include implementation timeline and expected ROI
    5. Use authoritative, action-oriented language
    6. Limit to 150-200 words maximum
  `,
  
  strategicRecommendations: `
    Create structured strategic recommendations:
    1. Prioritize by impact and feasibility
    2. Include specific actions, timelines, and owners
    3. Quantify expected benefits and required investments
    4. Address implementation risks and mitigation
    5. Use MECE framework for complete coverage
    6. Format as numbered action items
  `,
  
  financialAnalysis: `
    Develop comprehensive financial analysis:
    1. Focus on key value drivers
    2. Include 3-year projection with scenarios
    3. Calculate NPV, IRR, and payback period
    4. Identify cash flow implications
    5. Highlight key assumptions and sensitivities
    6. Present in executive-friendly format
  `
};

Quality Control Checklist

Before finalizing any report, verify:

Content Quality:

• [ ] Executive summary answers "so what?" clearly
• [ ] Each section follows MECE principles
• [ ] Recommendations are specific and actionable
• [ ] Data supports all key conclusions
• [ ] Implementation plan is realistic and detailed

Format Standards:

• [ ] Consistent typography throughout
• [ ] Professional chart formatting
• [ ] Proper color scheme application
• [ ] Clear visual hierarchy
• [ ] Source attribution on all exhibits

Professional Standards:

• [ ] Authoritative and confident tone
• [ ] Action-oriented language
• [ ] Quantified impact statements
• [ ] Strategic framework application
• [ ] Executive-level insight depth

PDF Generation Technical Specifications

Document Properties

const pdfSettings = {
  pageSize: 'Letter', // 8.5" x 11"
  margins: {
    top: 72,    // 1 inch
    right: 72,  // 1 inch  
    bottom: 72, // 1 inch
    left: 72    // 1 inch
  },
  
  fonts: {
    primary: 'Arial', // Professional standard
    fallback: 'Helvetica',
    weights: ['Regular', 'Bold']
  },
  
  colors: {
    primary: '#1f4788',   // Strategic Blue
    secondary: '#2c3e50', // Dark Gray
    accent: '#e07a00',    // Innovation Orange
    neutral: '#7f8c8d'    // Light Gray
  },
  
  resolution: 300, // DPI for print quality
  compression: 'medium' // Balance quality and file size
};

Layout Templates

Executive Summary Page:

.executive-summary {
  page-break-before: always;
  padding: 24px 0;
}

.executive-summary h1 {
  font-size: 24px;
  font-weight: bold;
  color: #1f4788;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
  border-bottom: 2px solid #1f4788;
  padding-bottom: 8px;
}

.executive-summary .content {
  font-size: 11px;
  line-height: 1.4;
  color: #2c3e50;
}

Chart Page Template:

.chart-page {
  page-break-before: always;
  text-align: center;
}

.chart-title {
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: bold;
  color: #1f4788;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.chart-container {
  margin: 20px auto;
  max-width: 90%;
}

.chart-source {
  font-size: 9px;
  font-style: italic;
  color: #7f8c8d;
  margin-top: 8px;
}

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📚 Content Templates

Executive Summary Template

# Executive Summary

## Situation
[Company] operates in [industry] with [key characteristics]. Current challenges include [2-3 primary issues] impacting [business metrics].

## Key Findings
Our analysis reveals three critical insights:

1. **[Finding 1]**: [Evidence] indicates [implication]
2. **[Finding 2]**: [Evidence] suggests [opportunity/risk]  
3. **[Finding 3]**: [Evidence] demonstrates [strategic imperative]

## Recommendations
We recommend [Company] pursue three strategic initiatives:

1. **[Recommendation 1]** to [expected outcome] within [timeframe]
2. **[Recommendation 2]** to [expected outcome] within [timeframe]
3. **[Recommendation 3]** to [expected outcome] within [timeframe]

## Expected Impact
Implementation will deliver:
- **Revenue impact**: [Quantified benefit]
- **Cost reduction**: [Quantified benefit]
- **Operational improvement**: [Quantified benefit]
- **Strategic positioning**: [Qualitative benefit]

Total investment of [amount] over [timeframe] will generate [ROI] with [payback period].

Strategic Recommendations Template

# Strategic Recommendations

## Priority 1: [Recommendation Title]
**Objective**: [Specific goal with quantified outcome]

**Actions**:
1. [Specific action] by [timeline]
2. [Specific action] by [timeline]
3. [Specific action] by [timeline]

**Investment Required**: [Amount and breakdown]
**Expected Benefit**: [Quantified impact]
**Key Risks**: [2-3 primary risks and mitigation]
**Owner**: [Responsible party]

## Priority 2: [Recommendation Title]
[Same structure as Priority 1]

## Priority 3: [Recommendation Title]
[Same structure as Priority 1]

## Implementation Roadmap
[Visual timeline showing sequential and parallel activities]

## Success Metrics
[Table of KPIs with baseline, targets, and measurement frequency]

Financial Analysis Template

# Financial Impact Analysis

## Investment Summary
| Initiative | Investment | Timeline | Annual Benefit | Payback |
|------------|------------|----------|----------------|---------|
| [Initiative 1] | [Amount] | [Timeline] | [Benefit] | [Period] |
| [Initiative 2] | [Amount] | [Timeline] | [Benefit] | [Period] |
| [Initiative 3] | [Amount] | [Timeline] | [Benefit] | [Period] |
| **Total** | **[Amount]** | **[Timeline]** | **[Benefit]** | **[Period]** |

## 3-Year Financial Projection
[Table or chart showing year-over-year impact]

## Scenario Analysis
- **Base Case**: [Assumptions and outcomes]
- **Optimistic**: [Assumptions and outcomes]  
- **Conservative**: [Assumptions and outcomes]

## Key Assumptions
[List critical assumptions underlying the financial model]

## Sensitivity Analysis
[Chart showing impact of key variable changes]

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🎯 Quality Assurance Standards

Review Process

Level 1: Content Review

• Strategic coherence and logic
• Data accuracy and sourcing
• Recommendation feasibility
• Implementation realism

Level 2: Format Review

• Professional style compliance
• Visual consistency
• Typography standards
• Chart quality and clarity

Level 3: Executive Review

• C-level readiness
• Action orientation
• Strategic value
• Professional polish

Common Quality Issues

❌ Avoid These Mistakes

1. Vague Recommendations: "Improve efficiency" vs. "Reduce processing time by 30% through automation"
2. Unsupported Claims: Conclusions without data backing
3. Poor Visual Design: Cluttered charts, inconsistent formatting
4. Passive Language: "Should be considered" vs. "We recommend"
5. Missing Quantification: Qualitative benefits without metrics

✅ Ensure These Elements

1. Specific Actions: Every recommendation includes who, what, when
2. Quantified Impact: All benefits expressed in measurable terms
3. Executive Focus: Content matches C-level decision-making needs
4. Professional Polish: Zero formatting inconsistencies
5. Actionable Insights: Each section drives toward decisions

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🚀 Advanced Techniques

Strategic Storytelling

The Situation-Complication-Question-Answer (SCQA) Framework

Situation: Establish context and current state
↓
Complication: Introduce the problem or opportunity  
↓
Question: Pose the critical business question
↓
Answer: Provide the solution and recommendation

Storyline Development

1. Logical Flow: Each section builds on the previous
2. Vertical Logic: Each main point supports the overall argument
3. Horizontal Logic: Supporting points at each level are complete
4. Evidence Hierarchy: Most compelling evidence first

Strategic Framework Application

2x2 Matrices for Strategic Positioning

High Impact, High Feasibility = Quick Wins
High Impact, Low Feasibility = Major Projects  
Low Impact, High Feasibility = Fill-ins
Low Impact, Low Feasibility = Avoid

MECE Decomposition Example

Revenue Growth Opportunities:
├── Existing Customers
│   ├── Increase Purchase Frequency
│   ├── Expand Product Portfolio
│   └── Optimize Pricing
└── New Customers
    ├── Geographic Expansion
    ├── Market Segment Expansion
    └── Channel Development

Implementation-Focused Approach

Results Delivery Framework

1. What: Specific outcomes and metrics
2. Who: Clear ownership and accountability
3. When: Realistic timelines with milestones
4. How: Detailed process and methodology
5. Where: Organizational placement and integration

Change Management Integration

• Stakeholder Mapping: Influence and impact analysis
• Communication Plan: Messaging and timeline
• Training Requirements: Skill development needs
• Risk Mitigation: Change resistance handling

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🎉 Conclusion

These Big 3 Consulting Style Report Generation Guidelines establish the foundation for delivering world-class strategic intelligence that matches the standards of premier strategy consulting firms. By following these principles, StratiqX reports will consistently deliver:

Executive Excellence

• Immediate clarity on strategic priorities
• Action-oriented recommendations with clear implementation paths
• Quantified impact that enables confident decision-making
• Professional presentation that reflects consulting excellence

Strategic Value

• Framework-driven analysis ensuring comprehensive coverage
• Data-driven insights supporting all key conclusions
• Implementation focus bridging strategy and execution
• Risk-aware recommendations with realistic timelines

Competitive Differentiation

• Top-tier quality standards that exceed client expectations
• Consistent excellence across all deliverables
• Premium positioning justified by content quality
• Brand enhancement through professional presentation

By adhering to these guidelines, every StratiqX report becomes a testament to the power of AI-driven strategic intelligence delivered with human-level consulting excellence.

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Document Version: 1.0
Last Updated: August 2025
Prepared for: StratiqX Platform Documentation
Standards: Premier Strategy Consulting Excellence

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📄 Disclaimer

StratiqX reports follow industry-standard consulting methodologies and frameworks that have been refined by leading strategy consulting firms. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any specific consulting organization. Our commitment is to deliver the same caliber of strategic intelligence and professional presentation that Fortune 500 companies expect from top-tier consulting engagements.