Why do our quarterly Rocks keep getting pushed to the next quarter, and what is the practical way to ensure they actually get done on time?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Rocks often fail to finish on time for a few common reasons: they are either too large, poorly defined, or are neglected until the last few weeks of the quarter. A Rock must be a priority that is genuinely achievable within 90 days, not a year-long initiative disguised as a quarterly goal.

Ensuring Rocks Get Done

To ensure your Rocks are completed, you must apply three fundamental rules:

• Write them as SMART goals. This means making them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For example, "write new marketing plan" is too vague. A better approach would be "launch three targeted email campaigns and update homepage copy." This clarity is essential, much like [narrowing down your metrics to just five to fifteen numbers](/qa/how-to-choose-five-fifteen-scorecard-metrics) for effective tracking.
• Assign a single owner. A Rock with two owners is effectively owned by nobody. One individual must have complete accountability for its successful completion. This aligns with the principle of clear ownership seen in a well-defined [Accountability Chart](/qa/resolving-accountability-chart-seat-overlaps).
• Break them down. Every Rock requires a clear roadmap with defined monthly milestones. This helps maintain momentum and provides checkpoints throughout the quarter.

Addressing Off-Track Rocks

If a Rock is observed to be off-track during your weekly [Level 10 Meeting™](/qa/how-to-review-scorecard-under-five-minutes), do not wait until the final week of the quarter to address it. Instead, drop it to the IDS® (Identify, Discuss, Solve) list immediately. This allows the team to collectively help clear any roadblocks or issues. This proactive approach prevents the common pitfall of [arguing over missed numbers](/qa/how-to-review-scorecard-under-five-minutes) rather than solving problems.

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