Getting started with EOS and achieving Traction means having a current list of Issues and To-dos, and working through them regularly. The Issues list is the foundation for having focused discussions in the business.
Weekly Updates
Every week at the L10 meeting, the Issues list is updated, and the highest-priority items are reviewed. As Issues come up, they should be added to the Issues list. At the start of every meeting, take a couple of minutes to add any new issues and perform a Keep/Kill/Combine – deleting old issues or combining any duplicates that have appeared (or complex issues that should be discussed collectively to identify the root issues).
These regular steps should keep a steady flow of Issues in the Issues List and provide a focused way for the Issues to be processed. Keep in mind that the Issues List is not only for negative topics – it can also include opportunities, events, or other topics that the team should process. Many teams rename their Issues list to simply “The List” to get away from the negative connotation.
Long-term Issues
You will also have some Issues on the List that don’t need to be discussed right away or are better saved for quarterly and annual sessions. Depending on the tools you use (At ROC Advisors, we use Ninety – please reach out for a demo!), you can flag these as long-term issues, place them on your VTO, or mark them as “shelf” to be reviewed at a later date.
Creating To-dos
As Issues are processed, to-dos will be created. These are meant to be one-week action items to resolve or make progress on the discussed issues. The goal should be at least 80% completion on to-dos every week and 100% completion after two weeks. To make that possible, write your to-dos in a way that can be achieved. If you can’t complete the to-do within a week or two, then consider the following questions:
- Is the Issue truly solved? Did you get to the Root of the issue?
- If the to-do is bigger than 2 weeks, should it be a Rock?
- In some cases, companies will issue longer due dates for to-dos, especially in businesses with slower cycles.
- Are there interim steps that would make a better to-do?
Completing To-dos
Once to-dos are assigned and the issue is resolved, it can be marked as complete. In some cases, to-dos will be issued and the results from those actions will bring about additional discussion on the Issue. For example, more research may be required before an issue can be resolved. In those cases, it is usually best to leave the Issue on the list until it is fully resolved.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can ensure a steady flow of Issues and To-dos, leading to more productive and focused meetings. Remember, the Issues List is a tool for growth and improvement, not just a repository for problems. IF you are looking to get started with more effective meetings, contact us today!