This is one big list, separated into two sections: issues pertaining to your quarterly goals, and issues that are either broader than one quarter, or that are only relevant beyond the current quarter.
Every company has issues. The problem is that they mostly live in people’s heads, and are rarely properly communicated. And even when they are discussed, these discussions rarely lead to concrete solutions and actions.
Having one issue list where all issues live fixes the first problem. Making time at set intervals to discuss these issues, and working through them in a way that leads to action solves the second.
Your Issues List is, quite simply, just that: one big, long list of every issue that pops up.
Okay fine, it’s really two lists: one list with issues that are relevant to the current quarter, and one list with everything else.
An issue can be anything (both positive or negative) that needs to be done, discussed or considered, and that hasn’t yet been captured in a to-do or a Rock.
Need to figure out a better plan for your socials? That’s an issue.
Feeling friction in the team? That’s an issue.
Considering switching game engines? That’s an issue.
Thinking about showcasing your game at an event? That’s an issue.
Any team member can put an issue on the list. Just make sure to:
In doing so, you know that everything is on the table. Nothing that falls through the cracks, and no hidden surprises. This is a great way to keep both yourself and your teammates accountable for what happens within the company.
You can use the template here, but a simple Trello list will also do.
IDS stands for Identify, Discuss, Solve, and is a simple framework for problem solving.
By creating time to work through important issues, you sidestep the risk of lingering issues that keep eating up time and energy.
By consciously and explicitly choosing the top issues to work through, you don’t get bogged down in whatever issue was shared at the beginning of the meeting in a bout of frustration, even though it didn’t really impact anything whatsoever.