We consistently resolve issues during the IDS portion of our Level 10 Meeting, only to have the exact same issues reappear on our list three or four weeks later. How do we ensure we are identifying the true root cause and solving it permanently?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When the same issues keep popping up on your weekly list, it is a clear sign that your team is solving symptoms rather than the root cause. This is a common failure point in IDS®, where teams rush to a quick fix or assign a superficial To-Do just to cross the item off their list. To solve issues permanently, you must slow down during the Identify phase. The team must spend the majority of their time digging deep to uncover what is actually broken. The facilitator should lead this by asking the simple question, why, multiple times. If a metric is missed, do not just assign a To-Do to work harder. Ask why the process failed, why the resource was constrained, or why the expectation was unclear. You must trace the problem back to one of three areas: the people, the process, or the tools. Often, the root cause lies in a seat owner on the Accountability Chart not GWC™ing their role, a missing step in a core process, or a lack of alignment on the V/TO®. Once you have identified the true root cause, the Solve phase must result in a concrete, actionable To-Do that is assigned to one specific person. If the solve requires a complex operational adjustment, break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks with clear deadlines. By demanding this level of analytical rigor, you stop patching over operational leaks and start building a highly stable business that is positioned for a clean and profitable exit.