In the previous episode of the Back to Basics series, Robert Vrugtman explained why measuring only a few essential KPIs helps leaders and teams focus on what they can influence. A KPI that cannot be acted upon wastes energy at every level.
In this fourth episode, Robert builds on that message by exploring tiered meetings, a management practice that ensures every level of the organisation remains aligned on the plan and that action is taken when it matters most.
Tiered meetings are short and focused conversations that take place at different levels of the organisation. They typically last only five to ten minutes and are centred on a review of KPIs. The purpose is straightforward: determine whether the plan is on track and agree on action if it is not.
In manufacturing, Tier 1 usually begins with a foreman meeting their team midway through a shift. This often takes place in front of a whiteboard or digital visual board, making the discussion visible and clear. Tier 2 brings supervisors and foremen together during shift changeovers to review performance and align the plan for the next shift.
Each level builds on the one before it. Tier 3 involves supervisors and the production manager, often reviewing work order completion or downtime. Tier 4 brings together the plant manager with operations, maintenance, quality, planning and HR leaders. Finally, Tier 5 takes the discussion to the management team where commercial, operational and financial indicators are reviewed.
The KPIs at each level may be different, but they are always connected. What matters most is that deviations from the plan are spotted quickly and acted upon.
Robert shares two examples from TBM client projects that highlight the impact of tiered meetings.
At one manufacturing site, Tier 1 meetings revealed a quality issue within two weeks. Thanks to fast collaboration between quality, production, engineering and R and D, the issue was resolved in a single day, corrective measures were in place the next, and best practices were established to prevent recurrence. Without Tier 1 communication the same issue would only have been discovered weeks later, at the cost of significant lost production.
In another project, tiered meetings allowed a new quality improvement procedure to be shared quickly across multiple sites. Within weeks this resulted in a 36 percent reduction in in process testing, proving the power of rapid communication and alignment.
Tiered communication is a management practice that works because it combines focus, discipline and action. Leaders and teams review KPIs, identify deviations, and take steps to improve. Simply going through the motions has no value.
By keeping meetings short, structured and focused, organisations create the accountability and alignment that keep execution sharp and the plan on track. That is why tiered meetings matter for execution.
See you in the next episode.
Key Takeaways
Tiered meetings keep every level of the organisation aligned on the plan. Short focused discussions built around KPIs ensure that deviations are spotted quickly and acted upon. From the shop floor to the management team, each tier connects to the next, creating discipline and accountability. This is how organisations prevent issues from being discovered too late, share improvements across sites, and turn communication into execution.
Schedule a 15-minute call with your Advisor
Don’t miss industry expert insights.
Join a community committed to excellence.
