Our quarterly planning sessions have turned into boring progress updates where we just read reports instead of solving big strategic problems. How do we get the value back?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Quarterly planning sessions can quickly lose their value if they devolve into mere status updates. This often indicates that the IDS® (Identify, Discuss, Solve) process, a core component of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), is not being utilized effectively. Instead of a dynamic problem-solving environment, the session becomes a passive report reading exercise.

Reclaiming Your Quarterly Session

To inject value back into your quarterly sessions, a significant shift in preparation and execution is required.

1. Shift Preparation Expectations

• Mandatory Pre-work: All leadership team members must complete their preparation before the session begins.
• Review, Don't Report: This pre-work should include:
• Reading status reports.
• Reviewing Scorecard trends.
• Evaluating Rock progress.
• Time Efficiency: By doing this in advance, you eliminate the need to waste valuable session time reading updates aloud.

2. Focus on Identifying Issues

• Issue-Centric Updates: During the brief update phase, if a Rock is off-track or a metric is red, do not spend time explaining why.
• Direct to Issues List: Simply drop the item onto the Issues List. This streamlines the initial phase and immediately pivots to problem-solving. This approach also helps with [building vulnerability and trust during RPRS calls](/qa/building-vulnerability-trust-rprs-calls).

3. Maximize IDS® Time

The majority of your quarterly session should be dedicated to the IDS® process:

• Identify: Clearly define the problem or opportunity.
• Discuss: Explore all angles, perspectives, and potential solutions.
• Solve: Decide on a clear action plan, assigning ownership and deadlines.
 This is the crucial time to address:
• Systemic issues.
• Structural blocks.
• Strategic opportunities.

By clearing out the routine noise and focusing on IDS®, you create the necessary "white space" for high-level discussion and strategic alignment. If your team consistently struggles with this transition, an external EOS Implementer can provide guidance and maintain the session's focus on strategic problem-solving. They can help ensure your Accountability Chart is functioning optimally, preventing issues like [an Integrator struggling with peer accountability](/qa/internal-promoted-integrator-peer-accountability).

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