Traffic lights are one of the most visual tools for visual control. Red is the stop signal, yellow is the attention signal, and green is the go signal. This simple principle has long gone beyond roads and has found its way into business, project, team, and even everyday decision-making.
At ToDo, we regularly use the traffic light method in our work with clients, internal processes, and our own digital products. It's a universal way to quickly see where the situation is stable, where it needs attention, and where it's already red and requires urgent intervention.
In this article, we'll show how the three-color labeling principle helps sales, marketing, finance, development, and administrative departments make informed decisions based on data.
How the traffic light method works
🔴 Red - an alarm, a need for intervention or an individualized solution.
🟡 Yellow - transitional state: the process is ongoing and requires attention.
🟢 Green - everything is fine: the task is being fulfilled, KPIs are being achieved, and risks are minimal.
Sales: controlling the funnel, customers, and KPIs
In the ToDo sales department, the traffic light method has been implemented in several areas:
- Stages of customer interaction:
- Red - initial communication, requires more effort.
- Yellow - the client is studying the commercial offer.
- Green - ready to sign the contract.
- Evaluation of automation requests:
- Green - there is a ready-made solution.
- Yellow - needs to be combined or finalized.
- Red - individual development is required.
- Planning and control of KPIs:
- Green - KPI fulfillment.
- Yellow is the area of attention.
- Red - risks of non-fulfillment.
Marketing: controlling reputation and fulfilling tasks
In its work, the marketing department uses both internal tasks and external monitoring. For example, in Semantrum (media monitoring by LIGA:ZAKON), brand mentions are classified:
- Green is a positive mood,
- Yellow is neutral,
- Red is negative.
This data is used for crisis response, HR brand management, and strategic planning.
Project management and development: assessing priorities
ToDo developers and project managers use tools that are built into ERP systems or project platforms (Jira, Project Management Software):
- Color indication of project KPIs.
- The status of resource loading.
- Dynamics of task completion.
This visual representation helps to quickly identify critical areas, make management decisions, and keep projects on track and on budget.
Financial and accounting departments: planning automation
In the "Production Enterprise Management" system, the specialists of the financial department use the traffic light method to:
- KPI estimates for payroll.
- Budget planning.
- Analyzing the risks of interaction with suppliers (through the Contr Agent service).
Administrative and legal department: consolidated analytics
The company's management analyzes aggregated data from all departments based on color statuses in CRM, ERP, document management, and media monitoring systems:
- Department and project performance.
- Reliability of counterparties.
- Brand reputation in the public domain.
This allows you to quickly identify bottlenecks, make management decisions, and plan the company's next steps.
Result
The traffic light method is a simple but effective way to control processes, see risk areas, and develop analytical thinking habits in a team. Automation systems allow you to build this approach into the company's business logic.
ToDo Team implements ERP solutions based on Odoothat allow you to implement the traffic light method in CRM, project management, financial planning, HR, and more. We will help you set up an automation system that meets your goals, business processes, and growth rates.
