The quarterly planning cycle is one of the most powerful tools available to founders, yet most implement it poorly. They either plan too rigidly (and fail to adapt) or too loosely (and fail to focus).
The 90-day operating cadence solves this by creating a rhythm that balances strategic consistency with tactical flexibility. Each quarter begins with a planning session that sets 3-5 objectives. Each week includes a review that measures progress. Each day includes focused execution time protected from interruption.
The magic is in the constraints. By limiting objectives to what can realistically be achieved in 90 days, you force prioritisation. By reviewing weekly, you catch drift before it becomes disaster. By protecting daily focus time, you ensure that planning translates to action.
This cadence works because it aligns with human psychology. 90 days is long enough to achieve meaningful progress but short enough to maintain urgency. Weekly reviews provide accountability without micromanagement. Daily focus time respects the reality that deep work requires uninterrupted attention.