REWORK

How We Work: Kickoffs & Heartbeats

Sep 4, 2024

Discover how a six-week cycle of Kickoffs and Heartbeats transforms project management into a dynamic process. Learn about the balance between leadership and team autonomy in effectively launching projects. Explore innovative strategies like the 'parking garage' for managing ideas while prioritizing ongoing tasks. Hear how Heartbeats foster recognition of individual contributions and enhance communication, creating a positive workplace culture. The benefits? A clearer institutional history and a more engaged team!

24:30

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Quick takeaways

Kickoffs initiate workflow cycles by defining project goals and budgets, empowering teams with autonomy while fostering collaboration.

Heartbeats retrospectively evaluate accomplishments, reinforcing accountability and promoting transparency which enhances individual and team contributions.

Deep dives

The Importance of Kickoffs and Heartbeats

Kickoffs and heartbeats serve as key processes for managing workflow at the company. Kickoffs occur at the beginning of a six-week cycle, where department heads outline project goals and expected deliverables without committing to specific timelines. Instead of estimates, the focus is on assigning budgets for each project, allowing teams the autonomy to determine how they will achieve these goals. Meanwhile, heartbeats provide a retrospective look at what was accomplished during the previous cycle, reinforcing accountability and progress within the organization.

The value of reflection reveals true contributions

00:30

Autonomy Fuels Accountability

01:24

Embrace the Unknown: Flexibility in Reactive Work

01:24

Intro

2min

Unlocking Project Success: The Power of Kickoffs

7min

Balancing Ideas and Execution in Team Management

4min

Understanding Kickoffs in Reactive and Planned Work Environments

4min

The Power of Heartbeats

7min

37signals works in 6-week cycles, which begin with a Kickoff and wrap up with a Heartbeat. In this week’s REWORK podcast, co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson break down the purpose and benefits of the Kickoff and Heartbeat documents and share tips for implementing this process across an organization.

Key Takeaways

00:40 - When 37signals started using Kickoffs and Heartbeats
02:13 - Details of the Kickoff write-up process
07:34 - How much input Jason and David have in the Kickoff
13:43 - What Kickoffs & Heartbeats look like for departments with ongoing work
17:37 - The Heartbeats as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work of individual employees and team
22:50 - The benefits of writing up work summaries for institutional history

Links and Resources

Shape Up

Books by 37signals

HEY World | HEY

The REWORK podcast

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

@37signals on X