Tips for creating rocks that drive results
Introduction: what are rocks?
In the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), rocks are a tool used to define and track the most critical priorities or goals for a specific period, typically 90 days. Rocks serve as guideposts, keeping teams focused on the things that will propel the business forward and bring them closer to achieving their long-term vision.
Basic things to know
Rocks are derived from the company's overarching vision and 1-year goals.
Each leadership team member or team identifies rocks for the upcoming 90-day period.
Rocks should be specific, measurable, and achievable within the 90-day timeframe.
Progress on rocks is regularly discussed and tracked during weekly meetings, called Level 10 meetings in EOS.
What are some examples of rocks?
Rocks can cover a wide range of areas, depending on the company's priorities. Here are a few examples:
Launch a new product or service that achieves [some measurable adoption or revenue goal] by [a specific date]
Increase sales by a specific percentage by [a specific date]
Improve customer satisfaction scores by [a specific amount or %] by [a specific date]
Implement a new marketing campaign that drives [some measurable pipeline or leads data] by [a specific date]
Streamline operations to reduce costs by [a specific amount or %] by [a specific date]
Develop a new partnership or strategic alliance that drives [some measurable amount of revenue] by [a specific date]
Tips for setting meaningful rocks
Align with the company vision, core values and 1-year goals: ensure that your rocks directly contribute to achieving the company's long-term vision and 1-year goals.
Involve the right people: engage the relevant team members in setting rocks to ensure buy-in and accountability.
Be specific: clearly define what success looks like for each rock, making them measurable and achievable.
Prioritize: focus on the most critical priorities that will have the most significant impact.
Consider dependencies: identify and address any potential roadblocks or dependencies that could hinder progress.
Limit your rocks to the meaningful few. While it’s common to permit as many as seven, ResultMaps strongly recommends no more than three
Pitfalls to avoid when creating rocks
Overloading: setting too many rocks can dilute focus and overwhelm teams by creating a wish list instead of priorities.
Lack of clarity: vague or ambiguous rocks make it difficult to measure progress and achieve success.
Unrealistic expectations: setting rocks that are too ambitious or unachievable within the 90-day period can lead to frustration and demotivation.
Neglecting resources: Failing to allocate the necessary resources (time, budget, personnel) to achieve the rocks.
Isolation: not involving the right stakeholders in setting and tracking rocks can lead to a lack of buy-in and accountability.
How rocks work and are used in the Entrepreneurial Operating System™
In the EOS , rocks are an integral part of the weekly meeting rhythm. During these meetings, team members provide updates on their rocks, discussing progress, challenges, and any assistance needed to stay on track. This regular check-in creates a sense of urgency and accountability, as rocks are visible to the entire team and have a defined deadline.
At the end of the 90-day period, the rocks are evaluated, and the team celebrates their achievements, and learns from the rocks that were not achieved. New rocks are then identified for the next 90 days, based on the company's evolving priorities and progress towards its long-term goals.
Where does the term “rock” in goal setting originate?
The concept of "rocks" is not specific to EOS, it derives from a famous talk given by Dr. Stephen Covey and was used in his book “First Things First”. The concept of "rocks" in goal-setting comes from an analogy.
Imagine a glass cylinder representing your available time. Imagine big rocks symbolizing your most important results. And imagine pebbles and sand, symbolizing less important aspects of your work like tasks and interruptions.
Covey showed in his live seminars that if you fill the cylinder starting with the little things - sand and pebbles first - you cannot fit your important rocks into the time available. This mirrors a typical unstructured day where urgent but not important things can squeeze out the important things. However, if you put in rocks first - starting with your important things- , it’s easy to pour in the gravel and sand afterward, and still have everything fit.
This approach illustrates the power of prioritizing your most important goals (your "rocks") and tackling them first. In goal-setting frameworks like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Pinnacle and others, "rocks" have become synonymous with high-priority objectives. By identifying and focusing on your "rocks," you structure your work to ensure attention to the most impactful tasks, leading to more productive and successful outcomes while still accommodating other necessary responsibilities and unexpected issues.
Similar concepts in other frameworks
Other frameworks and methodologies employ similar ideas to drive focus and accountability:
Objectives and Key Results (OKRs): similar to rocks, OKRs are used to set and track measurable goals, typically on a quarterly basis.
Sprint Goals (Agile): In agile project management, sprint goals define the specific objectives for a given sprint or iteration.
Wildly Important Goals (4 Disciplines of Execution): this framework emphasizes focusing on a few critically important goals, much like rocks in the EOS.
Regardless of the terminology or framework, the underlying principle remains the same: by setting clear, measurable, and time-bound goals, teams can stay focused on the most important priorities and drive consistent progress towards their overarching objectives.