Credit to Barry Shamis, Selecting Winners for this model.

Materials: 3×5 index card, a stack of them.
Each Monday (or other consistent day of the week), the Manager meets with the Team Member. The Manager always asks the same question, “What 5 things do you intend to accomplish this week?”

The Team Member responds, “After reviewing all the things on my plate and the needs of the other folks around me, I intend to accomplish the following items on my 3×5 card:”
Item #1
Item #2
Item #3
Item #4
Item #5

The Manager takes the card, clarifies something about items #2 & #5, adjourns the meeting.

The next meeting, the Manager asks the question, “Of the things on the list from last week, what did you get accomplished?” The Team Member responds:
Item #1, I got finished, no problems.
Item #2, we started, but had to postpone due to inclement weather.
Item #3, we finished, no problems.
Item #4, we finished, but on inspection, noticed a defect, had to scrap the effort and start over, still incomplete.
Item #5, we finished, had to make an adjustment to the final outcome, but delivered to customer, they accepted the change.

As you review the list, is it possible that the Manager and the Team Member could have a short, but meaningful conversation about progress the previous week?

The Manager finishes with the same question from last week, always the same question, “What 5 things do you intend to accomplish this week?”

The Team Member responds, “After reviewing all the things on my plate and the needs of the other folks around me, I intend to accomplish the following items on my 3×5 card:”

This is the Five by Five system. Five items in review for five minutes per week. In the real world, I have Managers who are working 2×2, 3×3, 4×4. Whatever works for you. —TF