Days 1-30: Learn
- Meet every stakeholder on a named list
- Ship one small, real change end-to-end
- Read the top 5 docs; ask 20 questions
Days 31-60: Contribute
Own a defined slice of work with a visible outcome. For managers: run 1:1s with the full team, form a first-impressions memo, don't reorg anything.
Days 61-90: Lead
Take primary ownership of a project or team area. Give a written point of view on one thing they'd change. This is the artifact that anchors the 90-day review.
Weekly check-in
15 minutes, same slot each week, on the plan itself — not general work. Adjust the plan as you learn more about the person and the team.
Common pitfalls
- — Writing the plan and never opening it again.
- — Overloading week one. Onboarding is a marathon.
- — For new managers: letting them reorg or fire in the first 90 days. Almost always wrong.