The rhythm at which the organisation reviews evidence and makes portfolio decisions.

Cadence creates accountability and prevents drift. Too slow and the portfolio calcifies; too fast and the system never learns enough to be honest.

Symbiosis operates at three cadences: Loop cadence (weekly) — the Portfolio Decision Forum reviews Play evidence and makes Scale/Deepen/Pivot/Stop decisions. Intent cadence (at timebox boundary, typically 2–3 weeks) — forced Continue/Pivot/Stop decision on the intent as a whole.

Strategy cadence (bi-weekly to monthly) — the Direction Review where the Reflective Council assesses OKR trajectory and considers strategic pivots. These cadences are not meetings for their own sake — each one has a specific decision output that the system depends on.

Key principles

Cadence creates accountability.
Too slow → portfolio calcifies.
Too fast → no time to learn.
Three rhythms · one trigger.