Issue, Proposed Solution (IPS) is a format for making decisions. Each issue gets written up the same way, one person decides, and the decision ends in actions.
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This step forces them to identify and think through the unresolved issue. What are the problems that require a decision? In the meeting, confirm the decision-maker understands the issue before moving on.
Asking people how they contributed does two things:
Encourage people to consider how they would solve this problem if they were CEO. Do not allow them to list options or reply with “I don’t know.” Ask: If you had to decide, what would you do?
Two benefits:
Don’t write your proposed solution. Write the issue, then ask the team for theirs. Your opinion carries more weight than anyone else’s in the room, and once it’s on the page, their proposals will bend toward it. Read what they write first. Share your own view last.
As a leader, look for opportunities to delegate decisions to your reports. You can give them feedback on their decision, but do not take the decision-making away from them once assigned.
The decision-maker reviews the IPS and the comments. Once they have enough, they declare the decision.
Capture the next actions needed to implement the decision. Each action needs a single owner and a due date.
Issues get written down before they get discussed. One person decides, in the open, and every decision leaves with actions and dates.