What would happen if there was no PowerPoint?

2014-03-14T12:12:13-04:00

Have we become overly reliant on technology to do our jobs as leaders?  As leaders we spend a lot of time putting presentations together to brief our superiors.  Bullet points and quad-charts are endless.  How would our military function if we couldn't organize briefings and presentations with PowerPoint?  Would our verbal briefing skills improve?  Would our map reading skills improve?  Would leaders at higher levels loose the ability to micromanage?  Would junior officers and NCOs be more empowered to take initiative and act on their own judgement?  Sadly, a world without PowerPoint may only be a dream, but I have a suspicion it may be wonderfully freeing and empowering.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 12:15 PM

2014-03-14T12:15:02-04:00

Powerpoint? Imagine what would happen if there was no email.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 12:19 PM

2014-03-14T12:19:56-04:00

Officers would have to learn to explain stuff better

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 12:28 PM

2014-03-14T12:28:03-04:00

I might be biased as an intelligence professional, but I honestly see nothing wrong with PowerPoint/Prezi/Keynote. Do some instructors/presenters use it as a crutch? Yes. I usually turn off the slides several times in a presentation to better depict an idea on the whiteboard. But whether someone is a great briefer or not, many of us are visual learners and can't commit something to memory or lecture it from memory without visual cues or graphical representations.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 14 at 2014 12:31 PM

2014-03-14T12:31:40-04:00

We would have to stop the war....  But seriously,  we would have to go back to "old school"  Transparencies, hip pocket training etc.  A great test for a staff doing a staffex is in the middle of the excersize, pull the power.  You will find either mass chaos, or leaders who can think out of the box to work through this difficult issue.  Try it some time!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-03-14T14:25:39-04:00

I believe it was Patton who said Power Point is "the greatest implement of battle ever devised." No, wait, he was talking about the Garand. I guess when a proven, war winning leader can say something like that about PPT, I'll think the world of it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-03-14T14:25:49-04:00

We have these debates daily...what I'm seeing in the responses though, is a less "high tech" solution: transparencies, butcher block, etc. These would still have the same effect, an over reliance on too many graphics when a single sheet can do the job. PPT is a great tool to represent just about every aspect of a mission/task/storyboard, but it's become where NOTHING happens if it's not on a slideshow. Like CSM said, we'd have to stop the war. There is also a lack of synchronization: leaders at different echelons ask for the same information, but each on their own proprietary format. So we spend our time transcribing the same info on several slides, where one would suffice.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 5:29 PM

2014-03-14T17:29:20-04:00

Butcher block and map layovers would make their way back.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 15 at 2014 11:13 AM

2014-03-15T11:13:13-04:00

Everything would completely stop for daily operations and the net would be down so no one could send an email to DOIM or ASO for a work order.

People would be running in the streets screaming that Armageddon had come and the world was coming to an end.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 15 at 2014 12:19 PM

2014-03-15T12:19:56-04:00

Staff officers would have to become 'artists'. ;)

PowerPoint is a useful tool to 'paint the picture' for our commanders. If there wasn't PowerPoint, something else would have been created.

We need to continually evolve and adapt as leaders AND as a society.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Mar 15 at 2014 12:55 PM

2014-03-15T12:55:39-04:00

Before there was PowerPoint, there were slide projectors. Before projectors, there were easels. Before email, there was the postal service. Before printers, there were typewriters.

We can do without PowerPoint, but we can also rifles, boots, and tanks. We could fight a war with bare fists, but why would we want to?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 2:10 PM

2014-03-15T14:10:54-04:00

Death by PowerPoint would cease to exist

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Mar 15 at 2014 5:29 PM

2014-03-15T17:29:41-04:00

What are transparencies and runners?

(no sarcasm intended)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 8:35 PM

2014-03-15T20:35:32-04:00

CPT Johnson,

I have had this discussion more than a couple of times. The problem is not PowerPoint but leaders who don't trust their people to accomplish their mission. To supplement this they want briefing after briefing. I remember a little bit about acetate and projectors which is how you would be giving briefings without PowerPoint. Don't blame the program for bad leadership.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 3:53 AM

2014-03-16T03:53:57-04:00

Though I despise, PPT, it is a tool, and one needs to have their tool bag full of USEFUL tools. The problem is people get too comfortable (dependent) with some tools and either do not know how or choose not to use other tools. Like using a hammer on a screw, yes it will work, but is it the correct tool for the job. Diversify yourselves, and learn alternative methods to demonstrate the point you are trying to make. You may surprise yourself when you think outside the box and show your other talents (besides making pretty slides).

Just my two cents...

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Mar 16 at 2014 1:06 PM

2014-03-16T13:06:23-04:00

Believe it or not we had an Army that lived on briefings before the advent of modern computers. Programs like Harvard Graphis, Freelance, and later Micosoft's Power Point came into existence.

Briefings were done on paper and transfered in one color (black) to overhead transparencies via copy machine or special slide burning machines.

Microsoft and the like made it easier to put together crappy briefings faster. The creator still must develope the briefing from scratch to give the truth and tell the story. Slides are supposed to be an assistance to the briefer and recipient, they were not designed as stand-alone packages. If you pay attention in communications courses more information is passed in vocal content (emphasis, tone, duration) and visual (body language) than can be captured by a graphics program.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 3:05 PM

2014-03-16T15:05:41-04:00

I think the issue resolves around a central point to many technology questions: how much is too much> A judicial use of PowerPoint, or any tech item could be very useful... unfortunately the problem is too may people use it TOO much, not enough or not effectively. The goal should be to use and integrate all the tools at hand (IT or other) to enhance a military objective or civilian goal.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 4:48 PM

2014-03-16T16:48:15-04:00

Regardless, powerpoint is a good tool when used properly. Like anything else, it's all about knowing when to use it and insuring that it's done in moderation. It should not be a crutch but, an enhancer.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 17 at 2014 6:33 PM

2014-03-17T18:33:14-04:00

Many top leaders and a bunch of staff officers would absolutely lose their minds. My experience with Power Point is such that it's a wonderful tool that too many people use as a crutch. Maybe if leaders spent some time at the FOBs, COBs and COPs, they could see things first hand vs having the information spoon fed to them on a slide.

Response by CSM Chris McKeown made Mar 17 at 2014 8:34 PM

2014-03-17T20:34:48-04:00

PowerPoint, GPS, etc... They are OK, but a real leader or instructor can do just fine without them.

I require all my troops to carry note pads and pencils at all times. There is always something new out there or a better way to do something and it is good to take notes of such things.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 9:23 PM

2014-03-17T21:23:39-04:00

Then much like the loss of a green notebook the officer would likely suffer an existential crisis. Link provided for entertainment.

Company Commander Suffers Existential Crisis After Losing Green Notebook

FORT BRAGG, NC — A company commander with Echo Co., 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment has locked himself in his office and refused to come out after his psyche was apparently shattered ...

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 17 at 2014 9:24 PM

2014-03-17T21:24:02-04:00

CPT, as a humorous diversion, a colleague sent an e-mail the other day asking what would we do without e-mail. Offered in jest, the number one response was that we would be far more productive because we spent less time checking e-mail, and more time with our subordinates.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 9:31 PM

2014-03-17T21:31:27-04:00

A PP slide should be no more than 4 bullets that contain no more than 5 words per bullet.
They should accent the points a presenter is making.
And of course, graphic elements... charts and other elements that cut to the point are way better than words... an infographic.
Death by PP comes from presenters reading aloud the slides word for word, in paragraph format. They might as well crack open War and Peace and start reading to me.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 9:48 PM

2014-03-17T21:48:55-04:00

From a guy that was SGT with butcher block at Bragg in the 90s, I enjoy
using PowerPoint.....but I tend to use 10 slides or less to get my point across.

There's nothing wrong with PowerPoint.....some poeple just don't know how to use it..... see below

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/microsoft-helps-the-army-avoid-death-by-powerpoint/

Microsoft Helps Army Avoid 'Death by PowerPoint' | Danger Room | Wired.com

Officially, Dave Karle is an executive communications manager at Microsoft. Less officially, his colleagues have given him another name: the Pied Piper of PowerPoint. His audience is the U.S. Army. Ex...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 7:38 AM

2014-03-19T07:38:21-04:00

Without powerpoint Soldiers would have to put together their own training!!!! Now you can find just about anything on the internet and change a couple slides and DING DING its now my presentation.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 19 at 2014 7:51 AM

2014-03-19T07:51:45-04:00

Sir, the remedy for that would be color dry erase markers and a white board.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 2:11 AM

2014-07-27T02:11:03-04:00

MIND BLOWN!!! Who would want to take it away?

Well in theory Power Point is a great tool. Where we go wrong is using it to brief and not as an aid to our briefs. We should do the talking and only use it to help highlight what we said.

I think we need to get away from using it as a crutch and use it as it should be: a tool, not the be all do all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 8:12 AM

2014-07-27T08:12:53-04:00

Wellllll, this is going to date me a bit but when I came in the Army PowerPoint didn't even exist, heck we were still using typewriters.
This is a question I am hit with all the time along with " what did you guys do before cellphones" my common answer is "We actually had face to face meetings, we drew our plans on butcher blocks, or chalk boards. We made sand tables, huge freakin sand tables."
And you know what ? We still got the job done.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-07-27T13:37:42-04:00

Dust off the overhead projectors.

And the mimeographs.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 31 at 2014 2:14 PM

2014-10-31T14:14:50-04:00

Soldiers would have to actually brief. Information would have to disseminated from mouth to ear and not over a computer screen or paper.

I think the retention rate of information would go up, and we would have shorter briefs that are more to the point.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 3:09 PM

2014-10-31T15:09:04-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 12:32 AM

2015-02-24T00:32:47-05:00

Some of us remember a Military without Computers, Power Point, Technology, to include Cell Phones.

It is amazing what we got accomplished. Leaders actually had to "LEAD!" A Soldier needed the ability to brief and do it well.

Planning was crucial as you could not send a text to get something. Once everyone was released things would not change at whim. There had to be a really good reason.

Meetings even seemed shorter in those days. Weird how that is.

I digress, a few have stated on this thread that technology is a tool and as Leaders we must evolve and understand how the newer Soldier receives information.

I agree that some need to refine their skills in using technology to streamline the information being presented.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 24 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-02-24T12:26:25-05:00

No Powerpoint? This could lead to peace in the Middle East! But perhaps......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmzuRXLzqKk

Mass Hysteria

Human Sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-02-24T12:31:15-05:00

If there was no PowerPoint, there would be projector slides and overhead projectors.

For what it's worth, I think PPT is more of a boon than it is a curse. Just my opinion, of course.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-02-24T12:31:21-05:00

If we didn't have PowerPoint in the Army it would look something like this.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-02-24T12:51:03-05:00

Why would you want get rid from such great work. As you can tell Power Point made these complex situations into a simply single slide that anyone can understand.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 24 at 2015 2:10 PM

2015-02-24T14:10:06-05:00

We should all do a yearly training exercise, even if it is a small one without technology if possible. I bet we would learn a lot about yourselves and force us to think outside of the box.

I came into the Army just as technology was becoming pervasive, so remember in 1998 when we had to do things with a pencil and pen. I know we still had more tech than probably decades before then, but compared to now, it was still not much.

At the same time, I think we have to be able to balance LEVERAGE technology, not LEANING on it. That is the key to success for the future.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 24 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-02-24T14:19:13-05:00

We'd be back to using butcher block or overhead transparencies. As much as people hate PPT, it has made presentations easier to do. And much more legible. It's really more about knowing HOW to do a briefing and keeping the information you present relative and to the point. There is a reason why it's called a BRIEFing......

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-02-24T14:24:44-05:00

I think that if there was no PPT then there would be the overhead projector of the old days. In other words, there is always value in the ability to show something in two dimensions when explaining things. The problem is that the standardized, efficient, yet necessarily constrained environment of PPT lends itself to abuse by those prone to being distracted and influenced by the superficial.

I briefed a 2-star on a 2 week, Brigade-level exercise with a 5 slide ppt deck. My soundtrack kept me talking for 15 minutes, with most of the time spent on the slide with the map and mil-graphics talking through the mission. I had all the backups needed to answer key questions. The response from the general was "looks like you guys have a good exercise going. no questions". Moral of the story, if your brief makes sense then the extra detail you will jam into a ppt isn't actually adding anything except work.

Then again, I did have an experience in OIF of having to include TRPs on a map that were not actually possible since the available arty couldn't actually reach those targets. Oh, and the TRPs were never synched with the arty, so they wouldn't even know what I was talking about if I called for it. And when I objected I was told that TRPs go on that slide, so just add them. So I did, and made up the reference numbers, since it was all for show.

The difference between the first story and the second is leadership that knew what they wanted and WHY they wanted it. As DoctrineMan says, powerpoint is a tool, don't be a tool using it.

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Feb 24 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-02-24T14:38:06-05:00

Some of you may have been exposed to the Google earth briefings. You can fly through your AO with images attached and details that pop up. Freaking wonderful! Of course the information is all the same and it takes hours to make it look real cool but what a product. It will surely get someone promoted.

It may seem I’m opposed to these products but in fact like PPT and Google Earth they are tools. If used well they can convey information not easily understood using other methods, when geared towards the correct audience.

I also loved acetate, grease pencils and a very large map. I enjoyed briefing a certain German ISAF General a while back who wouldn’t allow PowerPoint or Google Earth be used in his briefings. Analyst would make paper icons to put on maps. The analyst had to actually know what they were talking about and answer questions by him and his staff on the spot and usually with few notes. He was one of the few people I thought actually understood the situation and those around him were forced to know their AO.

He also asked for your analysis and opinion and took it to heart. Not many seem to do that these days.

The problem is the CDR's (all the way up to the top) lack of trust in subordinates.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Feb 24 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-02-24T15:01:49-05:00

I'm in, that would mean there would be NO DEATH by PowerPoint training, briefings or 75 slide, slide decks anymore. People would have to communicate and interact with each other again.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Feb 24 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-02-24T19:47:40-05:00

The madness! The insanity! People actually picking up a phone and talking to each other or worse yet, people get up and walking to someone else's desk to have a conversation? Maybe even driving/walking to another command to have a face-to-face. The craziness wouldn't end there. Next you know leaders would start leading and stop managing. It would be complete pandemonium.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-02-24T21:26:39-05:00

"In a sign of how Carter intends to challenge his commanders’ thinking, he has banned them from making any PowerPoint presentations — a backbone feature of most U.S. military briefings. "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/carter-summons-us-military-commanders-diplomats-to-kuwait/2015/02/22/0d06c36e-baab-11e4-b274-e5209a3bc9a9_story.html

Carter summons U.S. military commanders, diplomats to Kuwait

The new Pentagon chief wants an intensive strategy discussion about Islamic State; no PowerPoint allowed.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 24 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-02-24T22:41:13-05:00

We would still be using flip charts, overhead projects and VGTs, Tech Tapes, and Large TASC produced mock ups and models... We do get carried away with PPT.... Presentations are suppose to be "Visual Aids" and support what you are talking about. Unfortunately most of us just show the slides and talk to the slides... PPT, Prezi, Wideo, Powtoon are all great tools, but they just visual aids...

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 24 at 2015 11:23 PM

2015-02-24T23:23:56-05:00

Before email and power point, we had a Byzantine system where taskings would come mid day and COB by staff memo or OPORD. Your unauthorized orderly room clerk(s) would pick up correspondence from the BN S1. Anything outside that was a phone call between the SPO/S3 calling a Company Commander or XO. If you were in trouble it was the BC or BN XO.

Battalion Commanders and above made decisions based on one page memos that staff officers would spend days preparing and got sent to a 9 week school to learn how to write them in active voice using the military problem solving method. A typical commander would take 6-8 of these a day. The Staff Officer would have to answer the questions on the spot. Depending on Commander, decisions were delegated, sometimes to senior staff, other times to subordinate commanders. Others retained control for various reasons. The art of the one pager is all but lost.

Computers proliferated, then there was the Great Satan - Havard Graphics, a dysfunctional forerunner of ppt. It actually took four times as long to generate QTB and USR than if you scribed the over head transparencies out of solid granite. We did not have projectors, so you either briefed desk side with a flip book or you had a stack of transparencies (VGTs) in snazzy frames on an over head projector. You had to carry a spare bulb as BII. VGTs would ALWAYS get stuck in the copier, jam rates increased exponentially as the QTB approached. There would always be changes that MUST be made last minute (Co X would increase their M16 qualification rate that sucked all quarter 10 minutes prior). Properly used PPT is not so bad.

The lesser satan was multi-mate and memos were done and redone because they could now be "done perfectly" in courier 12 pitch. The senior staffer or BN XO would review it and the final PCC/PCI was the center crease to see if the BCs signature block was centered (6 tabs). Email, properly used , is a vast improvement.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 2:06 AM

2015-02-25T02:06:57-05:00

One of the refreshing advantages to operating in the InterAgency is that, apart from DoD, most USG agencies do not rely on Powerpoint to transmit information. Briefing notes, decision memos, position papers, strategy papers, read-ahead packets, policy papers--all not done on powerpoint. If SECDEF directed that DoD immediately stopped using Powerpoint, after a short period of transition and learning, DoD would likely easily transition to written products like the ones above, supplemented, of course, by the formal, five paragraph operations order and associated graphics. Contrary to the apparent beliefs of many, those in DoD who make the most powerpoint slides (staff officers), if given the time and opportunity to write, could write papers just as dazzling and brilliant as the powerpoint slides they work so hard to perfect. Also, a powerpoint-free DoD would probably realize that the millions/billions of dollars of digital C2 equipment it has actually works wonders, and might be useful in transmitting information.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 3:52 AM

2015-02-25T03:52:29-05:00

Personally, I don't think PowerPoint is good or bad. It is a tool. It is neutral. The problem isn't the program. It has great functionality if you know how to use it. It provides a creative mind with the ability to display a lot of information concisely and in a digestible manner. There is no problem with PowerPoint. The problem is the ones driving its use. The problem is what I call "left brain extremists" who write evaluations based on the aesthetics of PowerPoint. But in reality, it doesn't matter what format a left brain extremist demands, it will always be painful.

At the end of the day, it is all about what format the decision maker best digests information in to inform himself to make a sound decision. Everything that distracts from that is just bitching.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Feb 25 at 2015 9:07 AM

2015-02-25T09:07:54-05:00

I enlisted in October, 1972 there wasn't any technology going on, if there were classroom training the only thing closed to technology was an overhead projector and templates. All the other training was hands-on-training outside rain or shine, even classroom training outside that was the Cold War Era.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-02-25T09:09:18-05:00

Nothing. We didnt have powerpoint when I joined the Army, hell we barely had computers and we still conducted training, meetings, etc...

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Feb 25 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-02-25T09:22:58-05:00

PowerPoint is a good tool for communication, when I was stationed in Kaiserslautern (K-Town), Germany working in S-2, we were task to send out a weekly weather report to Headquarters and subordinate units. The Commanding Officer didn't tell us how to do it, we decided the best option was to copy and paste the information on PowerPoint Slides. Then, make it an e-mail attachment and sending it out by e-mail everybody was satisfied.

Response by LTC Eric Coger made Feb 25 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-02-25T09:38:32-05:00

It would be a nice start to use a "switch" to show screen shots or a live feed from the FBCB2 systems: CPOF, AFATDS, DCGS-A, AMDWS, etc rahter than recreating the wheel with PowerPoint or other "snapshots." The problem isn't the software it's how the user fails or succeeds in effectively using it. This can be expanded to the failures of over reliance on SharePoint, Portals, DTMS, or any other requirement that makes us re-format the same data over and over again. That kills productivity.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Feb 25 at 2015 9:41 AM

2015-02-25T09:41:16-05:00

"Disaster of Biblical proportions. Old Testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria!" - Ghostbusters

I dunno...sand tables? Notepads? Paper maps with a piece of glass, bottlecaps, and rocks representing units?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-02-25T09:51:03-05:00

Coffee sales would be at an all time low!

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Feb 25 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-02-25T10:35:30-05:00

Just to be clear, Junior officers throughout the force would be getting high on mimeograph fumes and getting carpal tunnel from making 75 copies of graphics on acetate, and running to the shoppette because the red non-perm marker ran out of ink.

In all seriousness, bad PPT is a symptom the disease is not knowing how to think, present, and speak. PPT is used as a crutch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 11:48 AM

2015-02-25T11:48:10-05:00

I had the honor and privilege to brief a high level commander in Afghanistan a few years ago. After a full day of prepping the slide deck and getting all jazzed up to do my song and dance he walked in and said "I hate Powerpoint". My commander looked like he was going to need to change his shorts, but I was undeterred. I had the big wall map behind me and just rolled right into my brief. I appreciate what Powerpoint can do for displaying information, but I make the info come to life, not the tech

Response by COL John McClellan made Feb 25 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-02-25T12:03:09-05:00

We actually had an Army w/o PP, when I came on actuve duty in the 80s... And, it's tempting to say that there was less time spent on briefings then, but not necessarily. Back then, we'd prepare "butcher paper" charts on easels, both for training, and for briefs. There were perhaps fewer, and they were simpler, but these were labor-intensive. If a company ops had a QTB to prepare, the Ops NCO might have to borrow Soldiers from every platoon to get these done! One advantage was, if you made these charts yourself, there was probably nothing on them that you didn't know / couldn't explain! So, I think PP is a tool, a convienience, and like other techniques we have, if you are over reliant on it or let it become a vehicle for micro-management, then it can become counterproductive.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Feb 25 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-02-25T12:39:37-05:00

2 shops Army-wide would be paralyzed. Hate PowerPoint as much as I do, I find it very useful in those first few classes we teach in BCT-land. For example, the personal finance class has a blown up LES as one of the slides. There's another slide deck for for Army rank. I view those presentations as informative. However, the Army's reliance on PowerPoint is now such that you have the tail wagging the dog, and the Army is the worse for it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-02-25T12:50:47-05:00

No powerpoint! My god we would lose our warfighting edge. Command staff's would not know what to do for four to five hours a day!

On a serious note - we do over-rely on the dreaded power point presentation but when short and concise they do prove to be a beneficial way to display information to a large group of people and it is a necessary component at times in classroom instruction. Saying that though - those of us who are Military Instructors are moving more to be facilitators than instructors or presenters.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-02-25T14:00:29-05:00

Sir,

I believe that eliminating PowerPoint usage during briefings would not necessarily make briefings any better. I have seen countless Soldiers/Leaders use PowerPoint inefficiently; that is something that should and can be changed. I was always taught to use PowerPoint as nothing more than a visual aid - both to help you keep your train of thought, and allow the audience to follow along. This is achievable by only putting a few words on each slide and cutting back on the number of slides being used. All of this allows the speaker/instructor to more efficiently go through the brief (provided he/she actually knows what they are talking about and are confident in their ability to communicate effectively) and keeps the audience informed AND awake. I think we are all capable of reading what is written on a slide, and it is a disservice to everyone involved to allow instructors to rely on a tool meant to be used as an aid.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-02-25T14:00:38-05:00

I can said the PowerPoint is a great tool for educate and provide any kind of communication. In my opinion, the best way for learn something is visual with some conversation. The PowerPoint not affect our verbal briefing skills, suppose to increase it, why? A good presentation is not read all the slides, the slides are reference and visual stuff of what you brief. The best way to show somebody read a map, is when the individual see the map and you explain how to read it.

Again, is not the PowerPoint and the technology, is how you use it. The quality of the presentation and the information you provide not said nothing is the presenter don't create a motivation in the group!

Response by COL John McClellan made Feb 25 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-02-25T14:06:26-05:00

On a similar thought - there's and interesting article in Army Mag this month about cell phones and MC. Basically, that the ubiquitous use of cell phones is another leadership issue wrt micro-managing and stifling junior leaders growth, initiative, etc. I've been saying for some time that just because we can now transmit any information, any time, anywhere, at the speed-of-light, it doesn't mean we (humans) can think and reason any faster than we could 20, 30 or even 100 years ago… before we had any opt these devices!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-02-25T14:33:42-05:00

Field Grade officers would be unable to function, Company Grade officers wouldn't know what to do with their time, NCOs would have to watch Soldiers paint rocks all day...the Communists and Terrorists would win, the U.S. would cease to exist.

Great question/hypothetical but I think it's being looked at the wrong way. PPT has its place just like any other briefing/teaching medium. If used properly it enhances the decision making process or flow of information but it is often relied upon as a primary asset instead of being used as a tool......perhaps a better way of looking at this is by comparing it to our love of the PT Belt.

The PT Belt in all its shiny glory has its use, and if used properly may enhance the safety of the Soldier. The lack of or the presence of a PT belt does not improve someone's pushups, situps or run time, it does not motivate a group to lift that telephone pole one more time during PT, but it is still used as an addition for safety. Now, most of us would probably agree that the PT belt is over used. Night Jump...must wear PT belt.....Combat...must wear PT belt because the body armor is ineffective without PT belt........Blackout conditions on the FOB...wear PT belt....Normal conditions on the FOB...wear PT belt.....rake leaves, shovel snow, go the latrine, go to the chow hall, react to ambush, go on patrol, go to award ceremony.....wear PT belt. We will not get rid of the PT belt and we hate the PT belt because it's being used in a manner we would disagree with, if it were used properly, none of us would care.

The same goes with PPT. It is used improperly most of the time. It will not go away. There is little any of us can do to escape this dark void of pain and suffering. The light at the end of the tunnel however are officers like yourself, and the officers and NCOs that have posted below. The "old mindset-old timers" are going to want 231 slides on raking leaves, step by step, with certain graphics and animations. Many company/junior field grade officers, and NCOs know that this has gotten silly....so when you are a COL one day, you'll want PPT briefs, just make sure that your folks understand quality, not quantity...and that's how/when the culture changes.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-02-25T14:40:42-05:00

This actually happened in Afghanistan in 2008-2009. The base got hit with a computer virus and we lost half the NIPR network and about 10-15% of SIPR. There were a lot of unit TOCs that had officers with their feet up on desks and staff looking at each other asking "now what do we do?" Those that fared well went back to basics...paper copies & dry erase boards. Technology is a great tool to leverage, but always be prepared for Murphy to strike!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-02-25T15:22:27-05:00

It would stop presenters from asking participants to do the presenter's job for them; when the presenter asks "Hey, why don't you go ahead and read this next slide for us." It is the presenter's job to present.

It would not allow a lazy presenter to tell their commander, "Now take a moment to review this information, Sir/Ma'am" while standing at parade rest. It is the presenter's job to present.

PPT, prezi and keynote are fantastic programs made worthless, when used with poor presentation skills.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-02-25T15:59:27-05:00

A few years back my company commander came to me about a project I was working on and told me that we had to come up with a power point decision brief for the general.

Roger. I came up with three slides. She kicked them back to me and told me all these points; surveys; statistics; graphs; and data she wanted in them - because that is the way she did them in Afghanistan.

I sent it up to the generals XO who shot it back to me with instructions - "You get three slides - present your problem, present your solution, and slide three is what you want the end state to be. Other than that be prepared to discuss what you want minus the other twenty slides of fluff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-02-25T17:48:02-05:00

Well they are trying do do away with PowerPoint. TRADOC Introduce what's called ALM 2015 (Army Learning Model) and it's designed to have more hands on and interaction during classes. In the future there will be no more instructors, they will transition into a facilitator and the students will basically teach them selfs with input from the facilitator.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-02-25T18:39:27-05:00

If you stop one malfunction there will be three more pop up to replace it. We would have to stop training, figure out what we could do to replace it so it makes our lives easier. I have been in about 30 years now and I have seen all types of presentations. PowerPoint right now is what is easy, give it a few years and we will have something else, PowerPoint just has not had its 15 minutes of fame. CSM Poll hit the nail on the head we would have to go old school. If microsoft collapsed how would you brief your commander, keep your data straight, inventory your supplies, and a mass of other things that happen with in a unit. Chew on that one for awhile.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 7:29 PM

2015-02-25T19:29:47-05:00

All to often powerpoint distracts the person(s) recieving instruction away from the fact that the instructor is ill prepaired. Craming a slide full information is usless as well. The class will often drift off after the first sentence of the slide. The army has never understood the idea of PowerPoint being an additional form of media to assist in instructing the class. As a business owner if i was given a presentation that had more than three or four bullet points on it to highlight key items i would end the presentation on the presenter, i have done it twice in my tenure. It shows complete lack of preperation. We cant all be subject matter experts you say; a good soldier will recieve a task and be prepaired to lead the block as if he was. Additional tasks are often given in the private sector it should be no different in our military.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-02-25T19:35:02-05:00

Personally, I would be the happiest solider on the block. People would be forced to know the material they are briefing inside and out. It would force face to face communication, which leads to greater understanding by everyone.

Couple this with no email, and we would need to speak to each other. Information would delivered clearly and concisely to avoid confusion.

The funny party is, the network had been down for the past few days at my unit, and believe it or not, productivity has increased.

Yes, Power Point is a great tool, when used in moderation. It is not supposed to be the "meat and potatoes" of a presentation, it is there only to augment the material being presented.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Feb 25 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-02-25T20:12:49-05:00

You would have to think on your toes.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Feb 25 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-02-25T21:37:32-05:00

Bill Gates would lose like $100.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 9:49 PM

2015-02-25T21:49:12-05:00

People would lose their minds. Some would freak out because they would not know how to conduct a briefing without powerpoint. Chaos and Anarchy would ensue. Dark and cold times.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Feb 25 at 2015 10:19 PM

2015-02-25T22:19:54-05:00

It wouldn't be the end of the world. I was impressed the the Secretary of Defense banned it during his recent meeting with Commanders.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-02-25T22:55:01-05:00

PowerPoint sucks... but it's almost a necessary evil. I just can't stand when it's overdone to the point that you can't even tell what the briefing is about. Here's a suggestion, cut out all the extra crap and play by the K.I.S.S. rule. Basic information, formatted to be easily read and understood. Shorten the briefing/class/meeting and get back to work. Our troops miss seeing us at the shop and get confused when we're gone.

Response by CW3 William Couch made Feb 25 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-02-25T23:05:56-05:00

I actually remember when everything was presented on Butcherblock paper....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:40 AM

2015-02-26T09:40:26-05:00

Powerpoint is not the problem. Overuse of Powerpoint is the problem. It is a classic example of working for your systems instead of your systems working for you. It is a great tool, but it is too good, and too easy, so it gets abused. The demand for slick presentations has grown out of control, just because it's there. The old saw about PP being for the weak or inept is wrong. Look at who the presentation is for, not the presenter, and there you will find the culprit. As long as leaders demand these products (or don't stop them from being produced) they will continue unabated.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 11:48 AM

2015-02-26T11:48:47-05:00

...Zombie apocalypse...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-02-26T13:47:47-05:00

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/02/23/ash-carter-powerpoint-brass/23895027/

A reduction in our dependence upon Power Point may be closer than you think.

Carter to brass: Nix the PowerPoint, speak up instead

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter might be moving toward a new demand for top generals — ditch the PowerPoints and simply talk instead. Before meeting

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-02-26T19:05:37-05:00

technology is killing the basic skills every Soldier should possess. Soldiers today rely to much on all types of GPS, BFT etc. I feel we are setting ourselves up for trouble by allowing ourselves to depend on technology. Leaders and Soldiers need to understand that Korea was hacked, and if that happens to us we need to be able to fall back on our OLD school ways, like reading a map and going from point A to point B without GPS or BFT's.

Response by SSG Mark DeTillion made Feb 27 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-02-27T16:21:46-05:00

Before I retired. Before computers. While working some time in S3 and S2 (Battalion) it would require 5 or 6 privates and a second lieutenant spend an entire weekend + to kick off that dog and pony show. I think a Power Point dog and pony show would only require a force of 1. Thank your lucky stars Captain.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Mar 4 at 2015 9:33 AM

2015-03-04T09:33:58-05:00

Command and staff meetings would be much shorter.

Response by SFC Guy Quinn made Mar 11 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-03-11T14:07:07-04:00

Power Point ?? Puhshaw!! Give me a sand table, a butcher board and a pointy stick I can teach the world!!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-03-11T14:24:06-04:00

I can still remember preparing a class with a large white tablet, markers, easel, manuals, index cards, and other visuals, at PLDC at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania January 1993. It was more hands on and interactive with the rest of the class.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-03-18T11:37:29-04:00

I agree... I think it is overused but it can be of great help in certain aspects. This is similar tot he problem I have been seeing regarding Land Navigation... map reading, compass work and orienteering seem to be falling by the wayside as the reliance on GPS grows.

Response by CDR Laurel Meadows made Oct 12 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-10-12T11:32:15-04:00

Shorter meetings.