The Point, Action, Result, Ask method is a short, structured way to communicate clearly. It helps you present a situation, explain what you did, show the outcome, and close with a clear request or next step.
Use PARA in interviews, performance reviews, status updates, sales conversations, or anytime you need to make a concise and persuasive statement.
| Point | Begin with the main point or context. State the situation, problem, or goal in one or two sentences. |
|---|---|
| Action | Describe the specific actions you took. Be clear about your role and the steps you implemented — focus on what you did rather than what the team did. |
| Result | Summarize the outcome and, when possible, include measurable impact (numbers, percentages, time saved, etc.). Keep this concise. |
| Ask | End with a clear ask: what do you want the listener to do next? This could be approval, feedback, resources, a follow-up meeting, or an invitation to collaborate. |
| Point | [situation/context: 1 sentence] |
|---|---|
| Action | [what you did: 1-2 sentences] |
| Result | [measurable outcome: 1 sentence] |
| Ask | [what you want next: 1 sentence] |
| Point | Customer satisfaction scores fell by 15% over three months. |
|---|---|
| Action | I analyzed feedback, identified slow response times as the main issue and implemented a ticket triage system with clear SLAs. |
| Result | Response times improved by 40% and satisfaction returned to 92% within two months. |
| Ask | I would like to apply the same approach here, can we run a two month pilot phase on our support queue? |
Keep each section short and specific. Use numbers when available. Tailor your ask to the audience and be prepared to provide next steps if they agree.