What is a weekly review?
A weekly review is a short, scheduled session where you look back at the past week and plan the next. The idea was popularized by David Allen's Getting Things Done method. You check what got done, what slipped and why, then choose next week's priorities so each day starts with decisions already made.
Source: Getting Things Done.
How do you do a weekly review?
Block twenty minutes at the same time each week. Count days won and missed, check progress on each goal, name the main blocker, choose next week's top priorities, and put them on your calendar. Finish by clearing your inbox and task list of anything stale. Keep notes so you can see trends.
| Minutes | Step | Question |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Score | How many days did I win? |
| 5-10 | Goals | What moved? What didn't? |
| 10-13 | Blockers | What got in the way? |
| 13-18 | Priorities | What matters most next week? |
| 18-20 | Schedule | When will each happen? |
Why does a weekly review work?
It is a form of progress monitoring, which improved goal attainment across 138 studies in a 2016 review. Writing it down or sharing it made the effect stronger. A weekly review also creates a regular fresh start, which research links to renewed goal pursuit after landmarks like the start of a week.
Sources: Harkin et al., 2016; Dai, Milkman & Riis, 2014.
Can an app do the weekly review for you?
An app can collect the data, but you still have to decide. The Operator Standard generates a weekly progress report showing what moved, what slipped and where to focus next, which speeds up the review. Sunsama includes weekly review features for work. A notebook works if you're consistent.
See features.
Frequently asked questions
When should I do a weekly review?
Pick a fixed slot, such as Friday afternoon or Sunday evening, and protect it like a meeting.
How long should a weekly review take?
Twenty to sixty minutes. Shorter, consistent reviews beat long ones you skip.
What if I had a bad week?
That's when the review matters most. Find the one blocker to fix and set a smaller target for next week.
Where do these facts come from?
- Getting Things Done: the Weekly Review: David Allen's GTD method, which popularized the weekly review
- Harkin et al. (2016), Does monitoring goal progress promote goal attainment?, Psychological Bulletin: 138 studies; monitoring progress helps, more so when it is recorded or reported publicly
- Dai, Milkman & Riis (2014), The fresh start effect, Management Science: goal pursuit rises after temporal landmarks like Mondays and new years
- Sunsama pricing and pricing manifesto: $22/mo monthly or $17/mo billed yearly; no free plan; card not asked until trial ends
- Official Operator Standard page: web prices ($50/mo, $500/yr, Lifetime $2,500, Founder $10,000), features, FAQ (affiliate redirect)
Checked October 30, 2026. Prices and ratings change; confirm on each app's own page before you buy. Next: read the full review, see pricing, or decide if it's worth it.