IEPs

I have been reviewing and writing new IEPs for learners for the past two weeks. I have written hundreds of them over the years, but I have found them to be tedious and more of an exercise in pushing and filing paperwork than an actual working document.
Until now... having been a case manager for the special education service delivery has helped me see them in a different light. Each child has several service providers, and each service provider must review the IEP with parents and or me, to be sure that their services are in accordance with the reccommendations made by specialists in reports on file. I check in with the service providers monthly to review what they have been doing each month, and to see how the learner is responding to the intervention. The service providers also supply written reports throughout the year. This process has really helped us stay accountable to the learner and to the Ministry of Education. I find this process really helpful in keeping the learner's needs front and foremost in our minds.
I am curious if anyone has comments about the role that IEPs play, and what the experience in your neck of the woods has been?