We regularly complete our To-Dos and clear our Level 10 Meeting Issues List, but the exact same operational problems keep resurfacing every few months under slightly different names. How do we know if we are solving root causes during IDS or merely treating surface symptoms?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Recurring issues are absolute proof that your team is failing the first letter of IDS: Identify. You are jumping straight into discussing symptoms and assigning busywork To-Dos that treat the pain without curing the underlying disease.

Teams do this because identifying root causes is uncomfortable. It forces leaders to admit process failure, skill deficiencies, or lack of role clarity. Treating symptoms, by contrast, feels fast, productive, and polite.

To stop recurring problems, the Integrator must hold the team in the Identify stage far longer. When an issue is introduced, do not allow anyone to propose a solution. Force the team to dig by asking why at least five times.

Examine the problem through the lens of your foundational EOS tools. Ask these diagnostic questions:

- Is this an Accountability Chart issue where the seat expectations, GWC, or ownership are unclear?
- Is this a process issue where a core process is undocumented, poorly trained, or not followed by all?
- Is this a measurables issue where leading indicators on the Scorecard failed to flag the danger early?

If your proposed solution does not modify an operational process, clarify role accountability, or adjust a measurable metric, you have almost certainly treated a symptom. A true root cause fix changes how the business operates permanently. When you solve the root cause, the problem stays dead.