Tidebook

This page explains how a quarter of communications is kept in one book — the planning grid, the weekly re-read, and how amendments are signed mid-quarter.

The tidebook is a physical or PDF bundle pinned beside the quarter grid. It contains the hierarchy document, the calendar, the amendment log, and read-through memos in chronological order. Nothing is removed when a date slips; strikethroughs and initials show history.

The planning grid

Week one of a quarter produces a grid with rows for weeks and columns for channels. Each cell names format, owner, and message layer reference. The grid is printed A3 where possible so remote colleagues receive a photograph of the same sheet each Monday. Digital copies are exported from the master file but the wall version is the source of truth.

The weekly re-read

Every Monday before noon SGT, the communications lead reads the grid aloud in a fifteen-minute standing meeting. Participants confirm live items, mark slips, and note new dependencies. The re-read is not a brainstorm; it is a comparison of reality to plan. Deviations enter the amendment log with date, author, and reason.

Mid-quarter amendments

Amendments require two initials: the communications lead and one leadership delegate named at quarter open. Emergency copy changes may proceed verbally but must be logged within one business day. We supply a one-page amendment form that mirrors the grid columns so operators do not invent a new format under pressure.

Who signs off

Quarter open is signed by your nominated executive and our studio lead. Mid-quarter amendments use the pair named above. Quarter close requires a read-through memo attached to the tidebook archive. Signatures are written, not e-signature platforms, unless your policy requires otherwise.

Left side — rhythm

Monday re-read, Wednesday channel check, Friday amendment review if needed.

Monthly governance read-through when the engagement includes that capability.

Right side — archive

PDF export with annotations burned in; wall photographs filed by week number.

Next quarter begins from the archive, not a blank template.

If your organisation already uses a project tool but lacks a re-read ritual, write to us with a sample export; we will show how it maps to a tidebook without replacing your software on day one.

The tidebook spine is labelled with quarter and year in mono type so archives sort correctly on a shelf. Digital exports mirror the same filename pattern for shared drives.

Weekly re-reads are timed before noon SGT so Asia-Pacific and European colleagues can join when needed; we publish a one-page summary after each re-read for absent owners.

Amendment forms include a column for "reason class" — market, product, regulatory, internal — so later quarters reveal patterns without blaming individuals.

Quarter close includes a voluntary retrospective paragraph written by the communications lead; we store it unedited in the archive as qualitative record.