Get Sh!t Done Sessions
Get Sh!t Done (GSD) sessions create space for live, focused collaboration so you can unblock each other, co-create quickly, and move work forward with momentum.
PREP TIME
5m
Run TIME
2hr
Persons
2-4
5-second summary
- Set aside time and space to collaborate on high-impact work.
- Unblock and get feedback fast.
- Use the momentum to make progress on important work.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Video conferencing with screen sharing or meeting space
- Chat tool, like Slack or Teams
PLAY resources
How to run a Get Sh*t Done (GSD) session
Collaborate in real time to make progress on high-impact work together.
What is a Get Sh!t Done Session?
Get Sh!t Done (GSD) sessions are working sessions where teammates collaborate in real time on high-impact work. The goal is to focus on something that you need to make progress on. Together, you can unblock each other, co-create quickly, and move work forward with momentum.
Why run the Get Sh!t Done (GSD) Session Play?
We’ve all been there: You’ve got a piece of work that you need to make progress on, but you’re hitting a wall, managing too many reviews, or need support to move ahead. Get Sh!t Done (GSD) sessions help overcome these obstacles so you can move forward faster while connecting with your teammates.
GSD sessions:
- Create structure for real-time collaboration without adding more meetings
- Reduce hesitation to ask for help or feedback
- Support “bursty communication,” a proven style for fast progress in distributed or remote teams
When should you run a GSD session?
GSD sessions are especially helpful when you want to make progress on a project or task, but you’re feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward.
Having recurring GSD sessions blocked off on your calendar helps ensure you have time to prioritize getting sh!t done, instead of leaving it to chance or searching for availability on the calendar when you realize you need it.
5 benefits of GSD sessions
Atlassian’s Teamwork Lab tested GSD sessions with 103 Atlassians over 2.5 weeks and gathered survey feedback from 40 participants.
Benefits of GSD sessions include:
- Get unblocked faster: Teams' ability to quickly resolve blockers increased by 39 percentage points after 2.5 weeks of GSD sessions.
- Accelerate progress on top priorities: When teams alternated between bursty communication and deep work during GSD sessions, they made 24% more progress on top priorities.
- Spark innovation and creativity: Teams' creativity and ability to explore new ideas increased by 26 percentage points during the weeks they participated in GSD sessions.
- Strengthen connection: Team connection increased by 27 percentage points, leading to 85% of participants feeling connected post-sessions.
- Energize your team: 73 percent of participants felt energized post-sessions, an increase of 21 percentage points.
1. Pick your priorities
Est. time: 2 MIN
Choose one or two high-priority tasks you would like help with or want to collaborate on. Work like reviewing, brainstorming, and building are often more effective when done with others.
Ask yourself:
- Do I need a second set of eyes?
- Will I have questions once I start working on this?
- Is this something we can unblock faster together?
2. Choose your collaborators
Est. time: 2 MIN
You don’t need a formal team, just people you want to work with. They might be:
- Cross-functional partners
- People with context or feedback that may be useful
Coworkers working on a connected project
Suggest a GSD session to those teammates, and see if they are open to trying one together.
3. Block off GSD time
Est. time: 5 min
Start by blocking off one to two hours on the calendar. Then, you can work up to reserving 4–8 hours total each week.
Having recurring GSD sessions blocked off on your calendar helps ensure you have time to prioritize getting sh!t done, instead of leaving it to chance or searching for availability on the calendar when you realize you need it.
Tip: Customize the name
If “GSD” doesn’t feel appropriate for your workplace, change it to whatever resonates with your team: Jam Time, Open Hours, etc.
4. Decide what to tackle
Est. time: 5 min
Before each session, clarify:
- What you’ll work on
- Which collaborators you’d like to work with
What format makes sense (Zoom, Slack or Teams messages, Slack huddles, etc.)
Share your plan with invitees. Others can use the time to collaborate on their own tasks too.
Tip: Use a page to lead your meeting
Make your GSD session more efficient and productive by running the Page-Led Meetings Play, which helps communicate the session’s purpose, scope, expected outcomes, and key discussion points.
5. Work together, your way
Est. time: 1-2 hrs
Your GSD sessions could look like:
- Alternating between building and syncing
- Reviewing work silently, then giving feedback live
- Co-writing, pair programming, or brainstorming
- Keeping Slack or Teams open and huddling as needed
tip: It’s ok to work quietly
Zoom fatigue is real. Turn off video and/or audio for periods where you’re silently reviewing work or taking action independently. Use Slack or Teams for back-and-forth if a full call feels like too much.
Variations
Virtual Coworking
Distributed work is awesome, but less face-to-face time can make it difficult to stay connected. Make distributed teamwork more human and effective with virtual coworking.
Accelerate Feedback Loops with Video
Feedback and collaboration are essential for success, but meetings take time and can add friction. Use video to get fast feedback during campaign or design reviews – no meetings required.
Still have questions?
Start a conversation with other Atlassian Team Playbook users, get support, or provide feedback.
Other plays you may like
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Productivity
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Create shared norms that help your team work well together to achieve common goals.
PROJECT PLANNING
Project Kick-Off
Build consensus on objectives, timing, scope, and decision-making.
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Once scheduled, your calendar might look something like this
Label a blank page.
