How to Lower The Noise in Meetings

Every meeting carries information. Most of it is noise. Some of it matters.

Beyond Information Overload

We've talked about the overwhelming flood of information Product Managers face daily. Meetings often make this worse, not better. But within each meeting lies essential information that truly moves work forward.

QUAD Insights Framework

QUAD Insights is a simple framework that helps identify what matters. It recognizes four types of essential information that emerge from meetings.

Questions

These are the points that need clarity. Sometimes a simple question stands between your team and progress. It might be an unclear requirement, a missing piece of information, or a decision that needs validation. Questions highlight where clarity is needed.

Understanding

This is the context that matters. Key decisions have rationale behind them. Strategic shifts have implications. Some constraints shape everything we do. Understanding preserves this essential context that shapes our work.

Actions

These are your personal commitments. The specific things you need to do to move work forward. They're clear, direct, and owned by you. Actions turn meetings into progress.

Delegate

This is what needs collaboration. Work rarely moves forward alone. Some tasks need specific people. Some decisions need input from others. Delegate captures these essential dependencies.

Why It Works

QUAD Insights works because it focuses on what drives progress. It doesn't try to capture everything—just what matters. It brings clarity without adding complexity.

Think of it as a lens that helps you see through the noise. It doesn't add more information. It helps you focus on what's essential.

The Power of Less

This framework embodies our belief in the power of less. It's not about capturing more—it's about identifying what truly matters. By focusing only on essential information, we maintain clarity and drive progress.

This is how we lower the noise: by focusing on what matters and letting go of the rest.

Simple. Clear. Focused. That's how work should be.