REWORK

How We Work: Fewer Meetings, More Check-Ins

Jan 3, 2024

Discover how automatic check-ins revolutionize remote work at 37signals, enabling efficient work tracking. Learn about the benefits of individualized work descriptions, regular check-ins, and the impact on company culture and productivity.

21:49

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Quick takeaways

Automatic check-ins revolutionize how remote teams share work updates, eliminating the need for traditional status meetings.

Automatic check-ins enhance productivity by allowing individuals to provide focused updates and share relevant documentation, facilitating efficient decision-making.

Deep dives

The Importance of Automatic Check-ins for Remote Work

Automatic check-ins are a crucial tool for ensuring effective communication and collaboration in a fully remote company like 37 Signals. Before implementing automatic check-ins in Basecamp 3, the company relied on sporadic written updates and occasional meetings to stay informed about what people were working on. However, as the company grew, it became clear that a more structured and automated approach was necessary. Automatic check-ins consist of two main questions: 'What are you planning to work on this week?' and 'What did you work on today?' These check-ins provide a regular cadence of updates that help keep everyone in the company, regardless of their location, informed about ongoing projects and progress. This system eliminates the need for time-consuming status meetings and allows remote teams to easily access and review each other's work.

Company Check-in Practices and Social Sharing

00:35

Efficiency of Computer Systems in Monitoring Progress

00:35

Creating Transparency and Culture through Shared Work Narration

01:18

Introduction

2min

The Power of Automatic Check-ins in Remote Work

10min

Implementing a Check-In System and Tracking Progress

3min

Emphasizing Individualized Work Descriptions and the Importance of Social Pressure

4min

Regular Check-Ins and Shaping Company Culture

3min

Today, we're diving into a question that has piqued the curiosity of many of our listeners and clients: How exactly does 37signals keep track of all the moving pieces in a fully remote company with team members spread throughout the world?

The answer lies in our use of Automatic Check-ins, a tool embedded in Basecamp 3.0 that has revolutionized how we stay connected with what everyone is working on.

But how do these Automatic Check-ins work, and why are they so essential to the pulse of our remote work culture?

In this episode of Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson join host Kimberly Rhodes to unveil the game-changing secrets behind 37signals' efficient work tracking system.

Listen in as Jason and David explore the harmony between Automatic Check-ins and remote work, contrasting it with the cumbersome nature of traditional status meetings. Plus, discover the tool's impact on transparency, productivity, and the unique ways it fosters organic interactions within the team.

Check out the full video episode on YouTube

Key Takeaways:

Uncover how Automatic Check-ins help liberate 37signals from the confines of traditional status meetings, providing a flexible and efficient way to share work updates.
Explore the seamless compatibility between automatic check-ins and remote work, allowing individuals to respond on their terms.
Delve into the unexpected motivation behind summarizing work, encouraging individuals to reflect meaningfully on their accomplishments.
Learn how the Automatic Check-ins tool's ability to link to other projects enhances collaboration, offering a quick overview of individual contributions.
Understand the practical leadership value of employing automatic check-ins, setting expectations for the team, and emphasizing the importance of regular communication.

Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.

If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.

Links and Resources:

Basecamp Automatic Check-ins

Books by 37signals

HEY World | HEY

The REWORK podcast

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

@37signals on X

37signals on LinkedIn