Changing Paradigms: Pentagon Leader Bans the use of PowerPoint. What do you think?

The problem isn't with PowerPoint. It is in fact a powerful and excellent briefing tool. The issue is that people don't know how to properly utilize it and end up putting walls of text that they then read off of. It was always intended as a supplement to your brief, not the main focus. Using it for graphs, maps, pictures, etc. with a few bullet points or things you don't want to actually say in your brief but your audience might find nice.

We shouldn't get rid of PowerPoint, people should learn how to use it.

Powerpoint is just a tool, but we often use it as a crutch. Worst cases are when the briefer gets their subordinates to develop the powerpoint while the briefer does "more important things" without learning the topic or preparing to brief. That's when you know it's a crutch. I hope Carter keeps briefers on their toes with selective "no ppt" briefs.

Boy, I'm sure glad I got my Power Point Ranger Tab while the getting was good.

I've seen so many good Officers get slid under the carpet because they couldn't power point, yet they could brief. I think briefing skills need developed and tools (power point) put in their place.

I'll never forget the first time I had to brief the DCG as a SSG. I'd never used power point before, so didn't have all the bells and whistles in my briefing, just had the facts. When my slides came up, there was this blinding white light with bold black letters presenting my facts. I gave my brief, just the facts. General Yates asked me a couple questions along with the DCG and that was that. After the briefing I was stormed by officers telling me how bad my brief was, and I had to "stay after school" to get my briefing in order. So I spent the next couple hours getting all the pretty nicey nice stuff on my brief.

I think this the problem, too much bells and whistles and every one has forgotten BLUF!!