Ever been ready to move a priority forward, but you’re waiting on one thing?

Maybe it’s a signature from your boss.
Maybe it’s input someone committed to during the last meeting.
Maybe you already tried a clear Who What When, and everything depends on that last step.

That’s exactly where Stucks come in.

What is a Stuck?
A Stuck is a simple way to signal that progress is blocked by a specific person or action. When you issue a Stuck, it shows up in huddles and as a reminder on the other person’s screen. It’s clear, visible, and hard to ignore.

It’s not about calling someone out.
It’s about keeping momentum.

Why Stucks Matter as You Grow
As companies grow, complexity grows with them. Leaders do a great job setting direction and defining where the team needs to be by the end of the quarter. The real challenge often shows up in the follow-through.

Small delays add up.
Unreturned asks slow teams down.
Cross-functional work stalls when no one wants to be “that person” who follows up.

Stucks give teams a respectful way to remove friction and keep priorities moving forward. Used well, they support Align’s promise of making smart moves today that lead to big wins tomorrow.

Ground Rules for Using Stucks Well
To keep Stucks productive and positive, a few simple rules matter:

1. Use a Stuck after other tools
Was there a Who What When with a clear deadline that passed?
Was it raised in a meeting and still unresolved?
A Stuck is a follow-up tool, not a first step.

2. Respect the Stuck
If someone issues you a Stuck, take it seriously. Everyone is working toward the same goals. Clearing it quickly keeps you from becoming the bottleneck.

3. Bring Stucks into Daily Huddles
Stucks work best when they’re part of your team’s daily rhythm. Use them in Daily Huddles to surface blockers, assign help, and keep accountability visible. Only the person who issued the Stuck can clear it, ensuring ownership and transparency.

One Final Tip
Don’t just turn the feature on and hope for the best. Introduce Stucks intentionally. Set expectations and ground rules so everyone understands how and why to use them.

When teams use Stucks consistently and respectfully, work moves faster, frustration drops, and priorities actually get finished.

Smart moves today really do lead to big wins tomorrow.
— The Align Team