The Red/Yellow/Green Framework (How to Actually Delegate)
Most founders try to delegate and it fails.
Not because their team is bad. Because they hand things off randomly without structure.
Here's the framework that works:
Step 1: List everything you do
Run a time study. Track every 15 minutes for a week.
You'll see where your time actually goes vs where you think it goes.
Step 2: Sort into Red/Yellow/Green
🟢 Green = Can delegate now
Someone on your team can do this with minimal training.
These are fast wins. Clear them first.
🟡 Yellow = Needs process or project first
You need to document the process, create a checklist, or do a one-time project before you can hand it off.
These take a bit more work but are doable.
🔴 Red = Don't know how to delegate yet OR need to hire
Either you don't know how to systematize it, or you need a specific person you don't have yet.
These come last.
Step 3: Clear in order
Knock out all greens in week 1-2. Instant time back.
Work through yellows in week 3-6. Document and delegate.
Tackle reds in months 2-3. Hire or figure out the system.
Why this works:
Most founders look at their list and get overwhelmed.
"I can't delegate any of this!"
But when you break it down, 40% is probably green. 30% is yellow. Only 30% is red.
Start with the 40%. Get momentum. Then keep going.
Real example:
I had 47 things on my list.
- 19 were green (someone could do it now)
- 15 were yellow (needed a process doc or checklist)
- 13 were red (needed specific hires or I didn't know how to systemize)
Cleared the 19 greens in two weeks. Got 12 hours back per week.
Built processes for the 15 yellows over the next month. Another 8 hours back.
Hired for the reds over 3 months. Got the rest of my time back.
The goal:
Your list should shrink every month.
Things you used to do become things your team owns.
And you focus on what only you can do.