We spend most of our IDS® time in the "Discuss" phase, talking in circles and sharing endless perspectives, but we frequently run out of time before reaching a concrete "Solve." How do we force a pivot to the Solve phase when the team is stuck in a loop?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is a classic facilitation failure. The Identify and Discuss phases of IDS® are designed to uncover the root cause and align the team, but they must never become an open-ended talk-shop. If your team is repeating the same points or debating without progress, the facilitator must step in and force the pivot.

A highly effective technique is to use the direct question: Are we still identifying the root cause, or are we just sharing opinions? If the root cause has been clearly identified, the facilitator should immediately say: We are now transitioning to the Solve phase. What are the specific action steps to make this go away forever?

If the team is deadlocked or cannot agree on a solution, do not let the discussion continue. Force a decision by asking the owner of the seat that is most affected by the issue to make the final call. Under your Accountability Chart™, that leader has the authority and the responsibility to make decisions for their department.

If the issue affects multiple departments and the team is completely deadlocked, the Integrator must make the executive decision. Write down the resulting To-Dos clearly, assign an owner and a deadline, and move on to the next issue. This disciplined approach ensures you consistently cross the finish line on every issue and build the momentum your team needs.