# Exec Summary

> Distill a detailed program update, document, or set of notes into a one-screen executive summary written for leadership — headline, status, key points, and decisions needed. Use when the user says "exec summary", "summarize for leadership", "TL;DR for the VP", "make this executive-ready", or needs to compress detail into a decision-focused brief.

- Skill: `janellecipriano/exec-summary` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add janellecipriano/exec-summary`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/janellecipriano/exec-summary/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: janellecipriano (https://skillmd.com/u/janellecipriano)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/janellecipriano/exec-summary

---


# Executive Summary

Compress detail into a brief a senior leader can absorb in 30 seconds and act on.

## When to use
- Preparing an update for execs/leadership/steering committee.
- Turning a long doc, status, or thread into a leadership-ready summary.

## Principles
- **Lead with the answer.** Headline first: status + the single most important thing.
- **Decisions over description.** Leaders read to decide — make asks explicit and easy to say yes/no to.
- **Altitude.** Outcomes and business impact, not implementation detail. Cut jargon.
- **One screen.** If they want detail, they'll ask or click the appendix link.

## Process
1. Write a **headline** (1 sentence): overall status + the thing that matters most.
2. Give **status** (🟢/🟡/🔴) with a one-line why.
3. List **3–5 key points** — progress, risks, changes — as outcomes with impact.
4. State **decisions/asks needed**: each as a clear question with options and a recommendation.
5. Add a one-line **what's next** and where to find detail.

## Output format
```
**{{Program}} — Executive Summary · {{date}}**

**Headline:** {{status + most important thing}}
**Status:** 🟢/🟡/🔴 — {{why}}

**Key points**
- {{outcome + impact}}

**Decisions needed**
- {{question}} — *recommend:* {{option}}. Needed by {{date}}.

**Next:** {{one line}} · Detail: {{link}}
```
Ruthlessly cut anything a VP wouldn't act on. Quantify where possible.