Dr. Mario's 2nd 🧠

TBM 252 How to Troubleshoot Status Updates and Syncs

4 min read

rw-book-cover

Metadata

Highlights

“Feels like déjà vu. We’re discussing the same issues every week.” (View Highlight)

Try This: If, for some reason, it’s difficult to make meaningful progress in a week or two in your environment, that’s a bigger problem than status updates. Discuss what got in your way and what needs to happen to make progress. (View Highlight)

“We’re busy, but it feels like we’re running in circles without getting anywhere.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Be more selective about your goals. What signifies a stepping stone or point of progress? (View Highlight)

“I’m not sure why we are doing any of this. We ship stuff. And yes, [some metric] goes up. But is any of it related?” (View Highlight)

Try This: Consider more actionable input metrics to help guide your team. Yes, delivery matters. And yes, those laggy metrics probably matter. But you need to find the sweet spot. (View Highlight)

“Every week, it’s a new direction. It’s hard to feel like there’s progress when the goalpost keeps moving.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Agree on a timebox for the current area of focus. Figure out why priorities keep changing, and start removing those blockers. (View Highlight)

“I spend 10% of my time on this, yet it feels like it’s the only thing we ever discuss.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Run an experiment where you provide an update on everything. Ask yourself (and others) to give a real overview. When faced with that reality, people often take action to reduce WIP. (View Highlight)

“I’m not sure why we must be here for this. I can’t relate to half of the updates.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Don’t waste people’s time. Give 1:1 updates. And maybe ask yourself if running a workgroup is your goal or whether you want to have a team. Workgroups don’t need performative team-like activities. (View Highlight)

“It’s clear they’re not invested in our updates. Maybe there’s a better platform or method for this.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Be honest with yourself about whether you will take action on what you’re hearing in the meeting. If your mind is elsewhere, call the kettle black and cancel the meeting. Participate! What are YOUR updates? (View Highlight)

“It’s like we’re writing our story but constantly erasing the previous chapter. How can we learn from our past if we don’t keep a record?” (View Highlight)

Try This: Start rewriting your goals, milestones, etc., with each update/review. Don’t copy and paste. Keep a record. I met a team recently with an incredible 200 page “log” recently, and there was so much love and obvious value baked into the work and communication. (View Highlight)

“Everyone seems swamped, so our updates feel more like venting sessions than strategic check-ins.” When people are busy and overwhelmed, they don’t have time to prepare for these updates, and it can seem like they’re sort of phoning it in at the last minute (View Highlight)

Try This: Spend the first 10 minutes of the meeting writing your updates. Call out that people are too busy to make their updates useful. (View Highlight)

“The updates are all over the place. We need a clearer thread to tie them together.”****“Why are we still using this format? It doesn’t reflect our current goals or challenges.” (View Highlight)

Try This:

  1. Experiment with a new format each quarter. Rotate the meeting design owner.
  2. Keep what works.
  3. Always try to revisit certain goals and “pillars.” (View Highlight)

“It’s just a list of what we did, not a reflection on where we’re heading or how we’re feeling.” (View Highlight)

Try This: Ask each person in the meeting to bring one puzzle they are trying to unravel. Timebox some feedback. Invite feedback from other members. (View Highlight)

“Why even bother mentioning it? Nothing ever changes.” (View Highlight)

Try This: At the start of the next meeting, ask everyone to share one ignored issue openly. Make a plan to tackle it together. (View Highlight)

Graph View