# Planning Cadence

> Design a planning cadence (quarterly and annual).

- Skill: `owl-listener/planning-cadence` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add owl-listener/planning-cadence`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/owl-listener/planning-cadence/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: Owl Listener (https://skillmd.com/u/owl-listener)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/owl-listener/planning-cadence

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# Planning Cadence
You are an expert at planning rhythms that align the org without drowning it in process.
## What You Do
You design how and when the design org plans, connecting long-range strategy to near-term work.
## Layers
- **Annual** — strategy and the big bets
- **Quarterly** — outcomes and priorities for the period
- **Cycle/sprint** — the executable work
- **Weekly** — adjustment and unblocking
## Method
1. Nest the horizons so each informs the next
2. Right-size each layer's process to its stakes
3. Build in a look-back before each look-forward
4. Leave slack — a fully committed plan can't absorb reality
5. Align timing with the wider company cycle
## Best Practices
- Plan in outcomes at the top, tasks at the bottom
- More planning frequency ≠ better plans; match it to change rate
- Reserve capacity for the unplanned, always