EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
A complete business framework created by Gino Wickman that provides tools and processes to help entrepreneurial companies gain traction through six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction.
Read summarized version with
What is EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)?
EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, is a business management framework built for small and mid-sized companies that need structure without the bureaucracy. Gino Wickman developed it and laid out the whole approach in his book "Traction," which has become something of a cult classic among growth-minded business owners.
At its core, the framework gets leadership teams on the same page about direction and execution. Wickman didn't invent new management theory here. Instead, he packaged tried-and-true business principles into a system that companies can actually use without hiring a fleet of consultants or buying enterprise software. The premise is simple: strengthen six interconnected components, and the business gains traction.
More than 200,000 companies have adopted EOS, most of them in the 10 to 250 employee range. It works across different industries because it tackles universal growing pains: fuzzy priorities, issues that never get resolved, processes that exist only in someone's head, and that nagging question of who's actually responsible for what. The framework emphasizes continuous improvement through its Issues component, where teams systematically surface and solve problems week after week.
Key Characteristics of EOS
- Six Key Components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction make up the backbone. Each one targets a specific area that determines whether an organization runs smoothly or stumbles along.
- Meeting Pulse: The system builds in a consistent meeting rhythm with weekly Level 10 Meetings, quarterly planning sessions, and annual retreats. This keeps teams focused and holds people accountable.
- Simple Toolset: You get practical tools like the Accountability Chart, Scorecard, Rocks (those quarterly priorities everyone talks about), and the Issues Solving Track. Teams use them week after week.
- Visionary-Integrator Dynamic: EOS sets up a leadership structure where one person provides the creative spark while the EOS Integrator turns ideas into reality on the operations side.
- Documented Core Processes: Companies pinpoint their handful of essential business processes and write them down, which creates consistency and makes scaling possible.
EOS Examples
Example 1: Growing Service Business
A commercial cleaning company with 45 employees found itself struggling to maintain quality during expansion. The owner felt pulled in ten directions, and the same problems kept popping up. After rolling out EOS, they locked in weekly leadership meetings, built scorecards tracking 5-15 key metrics, and committed to clear quarterly Rocks. A year later, they had documented their core processes and developed a leadership team capable of solving problems without the owner weighing in on every decision.
Example 2: Technology Startup
An 80-person software company turned to EOS after rapid growth created more chaos than progress. They ran their team through the People Analyzer to make sure they had the right people in the right seats, established clear ownership for each function, and started using the Issues Solving Track to work through problems systematically. The quarterly planning rhythm meant they stopped chasing twenty priorities at once and actually finished what they started.
EOS vs Other Business Frameworks
EOS fills a particular gap in the business framework world. Knowing how it stacks up against alternatives helps you figure out whether it makes sense for your situation.
| Aspect | EOS | Lean/Six Sigma | OKRs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Complete operating system | Process improvement | Goal setting |
| Best for | Small to mid-sized companies | Manufacturing, operations | Tech companies, any size |
| Implementation | Prescriptive, complete package | Flexible, principle-based | Simple, adaptable |
| Complexity | Low to moderate | High | Low |
| Scope | Whole company operations | Specific processes | Objectives and results |
How Glitter AI Helps with EOS Implementation
Process is one of the six EOS components, and it asks companies to identify and document their core processes. This is where many EOS companies hit a wall. Writing documentation takes forever, and by the time you finish, half of it is already outdated. Glitter AI slots into the EOS framework naturally here.
With Glitter, teams can capture standard operating procedures through screen recording, producing visual documentation that shows exactly how work gets done. When an EOS company needs to document core processes, team members can record their workflows instead of writing out lengthy procedure manuals. The EOS Integrator can then make sure these documented processes are followed consistently, which is what the Process component requires to actually work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EOS in business?
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a business management framework developed by Gino Wickman that helps companies gain traction through six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. It gives small to mid-sized businesses practical tools and a structured meeting rhythm.
What does EOS stand for?
EOS stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. It is a trademarked framework designed to help entrepreneurial companies operate more effectively using simple concepts and practical tools.
What are the six components of EOS?
The six components are Vision (where you're headed), People (right people in right seats), Data (objective metrics to run by), Issues (surfacing and solving problems), Process (documenting how work gets done), and Traction (accountability and execution). All six need to be strong for EOS to deliver results.
What size company is EOS best for?
EOS tends to work best for companies with 10 to 250 employees. These organizations are big enough to need structure and systems but small enough that the leadership team can implement EOS without a massive transformation effort.
How do you implement EOS?
Companies work through each of the six components using the EOS toolset. Many bring in a Certified EOS Implementer to guide them through a structured rollout that takes roughly two years to fully embed. Others do it themselves using the Traction book and free resources available online.
What is a Level 10 Meeting in EOS?
A Level 10 Meeting is a weekly leadership meeting that follows a set agenda: segue, scorecard review, rock review, customer and employee headlines, to-do list, issues solving, and conclusion. The name comes from rating how productive meetings are on a scale of 1 to 10.
What are Rocks in EOS?
Rocks are the three to seven priorities that absolutely must get done in the next 90 days. The metaphor comes from filling a jar with big rocks first, then adding pebbles and sand around them. Leadership team members typically own one to three Rocks each quarter.
What is the EOS Accountability Chart?
The Accountability Chart is an org chart with a different purpose. Rather than showing who reports to whom, it defines what functions the company needs, who owns each function, and the five major responsibilities tied to each seat. It clarifies ownership.
How long does it take to implement EOS?
Most companies need about two years for full implementation. The first year is about learning and applying the tools, while the second year is about making them second nature. That said, many companies notice real improvements within a few months once they establish meeting rhythms and accountability.
What is the difference between EOS and Traction?
Traction is the book Gino Wickman wrote to introduce EOS. EOS is the actual Entrepreneurial Operating System. People often use the terms interchangeably, but technically Traction refers to the book and EOS is the system the book describes.
Turn any process into a step-by-step guide