Strety’s Complete EOS Core Process Guide: How to Document Your Core Processes

Why EOS Core Process Documentation Matters

If you’re implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in your business, the process component is often the most overlooked yet most powerful tool. Many people who implement EOS® master the Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO), nail their Level 10 meetings, and get their Rocks on track — but struggle with documenting their core processes.

According to Gino Wickman in Traction, the Process Component is “the most neglected of the Six Key Components” despite being crucial for creating what he calls “magic” — simplicity, scalability, efficiency, and profitability.

Why documentation is critical:

• Creates your company’s “Way” of doing business consistently
• Enables scaling without you being involved in every decision
• Reduces errors and improves quality through standardization
• Makes onboarding new employees faster and more effective

This guide provides the complete framework for identifying, documenting, and implementing your EOS core processes using the proven Three-Step Process Documenter method from the EOS toolkit, along with examples and advice from our team.

What Are EOS Core Processes?

EOS core processes are your company’s “Way” — the handful of processes that represent how you consistently deliver value to customers and run your business. In the EOS methodology, these are the 20% of processes that drive 80% of your business results.

Six Common Types of Core Processes

According to EOS principles, most businesses have 5-7 core processes that fall into these categories:

1. Marketing Process: How you generate awareness and leads
2. Sales Process: How you convert prospects to customers
3. Operations/Delivery Process: How you fulfill your product or service
4. Accounting Process: How you manage financial operations
5. Human Resources Process: How you hire, develop, and retain people
6. Customer Retention Process: How you keep customers happy and loyal

EOS Core Process vs. Other Process Documentation

Why EOS Core Process Documentation Works

The EOS approach succeeds where other methods fail because of its:

• Simplicity: Focus on core processes, not every minor task
• Visual Format: Easy-to-follow documentation that anyone can understand
• Integration: Links to your EOS Rocks, Scorecard, and Accountability Chart
• Practical Application: Designed by operators for operators, not consultants

How to Identify Your EOS Core Processes

Step 1: Map Your Business to Core Process Categories

Start by identifying which of the six EOS core process categories apply to your business:

Customer-Facing EOS Core Processes:

• Marketing Process (lead generation and brand building)
• Sales Process (prospect conversion)
• Operations Process (product/service delivery)
• Customer Success Process (retention and growth)

Internal EOS Core Processes:

• Human Resources Process (people management)
• Accounting Process (financial management)

Step 2: Apply the 80/20 Rule to Process Identification

High-Priority Processes (document first):

• Processes that directly impact customer experience
• Processes where inconsistency causes the most problems
• Processes performed most frequently
• Processes dependent on key people (owner, key employees)

Medium-Priority Processes:

• Support processes that enable core processes
• Compliance and quality assurance processes
• Strategic planning and review processes

Step 3: Connect Core Processes to Your Accountability Chart

Each EOS core process should align with a seat on your EOS Accountability Chart:

• Assign an EOS core process owner for each process
• Ensure process ownership aligns with roles and responsibilities
• Create accountability for process adherence and improvement
• Link process performance to individual and team Rocks

EOS Core Process Identification Worksheet

Process Name: ________________ 

Process Owner (from Accountability Chart): ________________ 

Frequency: Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Quarterly 

Impact Level: High / Medium / Low 

Current Documentation Status: None / Partial / Complete 

Priority for Documentation: 1-5 (1=highest)

TIP: You don’t want to be hasty, so make sure you give your leaders the time and resources they need to create documentation. It could be helpful to create Rocks for those responsible for documentation so your team has visibility into progress and milestones. Also remember, your processes should be living, not set in stone. As with many EOS tools, done is better than perfect!

EOS Core Process Documentation Steps

The EOS Three-Step Process Documenter Method

The EOS core process documentation follows Gino Wickman’s proven Three-Step Process Documenter:

Step 1: Identify Your Core Processes

Objective: Focus on the vital few processes using EOS principles

EOS Core Process Identification Actions:

• [ ] Review your EOS Accountability Chart for process ownership
• [ ] List all business activities by functional area
• [ ] Apply 80/20 rule to identify 5-7 core processes
• [ ] Assign EOS core process owner from your leadership team
• [ ] Connect to existing EOS Rocks and Scorecard metrics

Step 2: Document Each Core Process

Objective: Create simple, visual core process documentation

EOS Core Process Documentation Template:

EOS Core Process Name: [Clear, action-oriented title]

Process Owner: [Person from Accountability Chart]

EOS Tools Connection: [Related Rocks, Scorecard metrics]

Purpose: [Why this process exists – customer value]

Inputs: [What triggers this process]

Steps: [5-15 numbered actions]

Outputs: [What this process produces]

Quality Standards: [Success criteria and metrics]

Handoffs: [Connections to other EOS core processes]

EOS Core Process Documentation Best Practices:

• Keep it simple and visual (EOS principle)
• Use action verbs for each step
• Include decision points with clear criteria
• Connect to EOS Scorecard metrics where possible
• Link to relevant EOS Rocks for process improvement

Step 3: Package and Follow Your EOS Core Processes

Objective: Integrate EOS core processes into your EOS implementation

EOS Core Process Implementation Checklist:

• [ ] Store in accessible format (Strety, shared drive, etc.)
• [ ] Include in EOS onboarding for new employees
• [ ] Add process adherence to EOS People Analyzer reviews
• [ ] Create EOS Scorecard metrics for process performance
• [ ] Schedule quarterly EOS core process reviews
• [ ] Connect process improvements to quarterly EOS Rocks

EOS Core Process Examples and Templates

Marketing Core Process Example

EOS Core Process Name: Lead Generation and Brand Building 

Process Owner: Marketing Manager (per Accountability Chart) 

EOS Tools Connection: Marketing Rock (increase leads 25%), Scorecard metric (leads per week) 

Purpose: Generate qualified leads for sales team using consistent methodology

Marketing Core Process Steps:

1. Define ideal customer profile using EOS target market framework
2. Create quarterly content calendar aligned with EOS Rocks
3. Execute multi-channel campaigns (website, social, email)
4. Track weekly metrics on EOS Scorecard
5. Qualify leads using established criteria
6. Hand qualified leads to sales with complete context
7. Review performance in weekly Level 10 meetings

Quality Standards:

• Minimum 50 qualified leads per month (EOS Scorecard metric)
• Lead response time <2 hours
• Lead qualification score >70% accuracy

Connection to Other EOS Core Processes: Feeds directly into Sales Core Process

Sales Core Process Example

EOS Core Process Name: Prospect to Customer Conversion 

Process Owner: Sales Manager (per Accountability Chart) 

EOS Tools Connection: Sales Rock (increase close rate), Scorecard metrics (calls, proposals, closes) 

Purpose: Convert marketing-qualified leads into customers using proven methodology

Sales Core Process Steps:

1. Receive qualified lead from Marketing Core Process
2. Initial contact within 2 hours (EOS Scorecard metric)
3. Discovery call using EOS-aligned question framework
4. Needs assessment and solution mapping
5. Proposal development using approved templates
6. Present proposal addressing all customer criteria
7. Close sale and hand to Operations Core Process
8. Update EOS Scorecard and report in Level 10 meeting

Quality Standards:

• Response time <2 hours (EOS Scorecard)
• Proposal delivery within 48 hours
• Close rate >25% (EOS Scorecard metric)

Connection to Other EOS Core Processes: Receives from Marketing, hands to Operations

Operations Core Process Example

EOS Core Process Name: Customer Success and Delivery 

Process Owner: Operations Manager (per Accountability Chart) 

EOS Tools Connection: Operations Rock (improve delivery time), Customer satisfaction Scorecard metric 

Purpose: Deliver exceptional customer experience that builds loyalty and referrals

Operations Core Process Steps:

1. Receive new customer from Sales Core Process
2. Conduct EOS-style kickoff meeting with customer and team
3. Develop project plan with clear milestones
4. Execute work according to EOS quality standards
5. Provide weekly updates to customer
6. Complete quality review using EOS checklist
7. Deliver final product and gather customer feedback
8. Hand satisfied customer to Customer Retention Process
9. Update EOS Scorecard metrics and report in Level 10

Quality Standards:

• On-time delivery >90% (EOS Scorecard)
• Customer satisfaction >8/10 (EOS Scorecard)
• Quality checklist 100% completion

Connection to Other EOS Core Processes: Receives from Sales, connects to Customer Retention

How to Implement Core Process Documentation

EOS Core Process Implementation Timeline

Quarter 1: Foundation and Planning

Month 1: EOS Core Process Identification

• [ ] Identify 5-7 core processes using EOS criteria
• [ ] Map processes to EOS Accountability Chart owners
• [ ] Connect to existing EOS Rocks and Scorecard
• [ ] Identify top 3 highest-impact processes first 

Month 2: EOS Core Process Documentation

• [ ] Use EOS Three-Step Process Documenter method for top 3 high-impact processes
• [ ] Leadership team reviews documentation on 3 processes and provides feedback
• [ ] Refine top 3 processes with leadership team feedback
• [ ] Connect each process to EOS tools and metrics

Month 3: Initial EOS Core Process Implementation

• [ ] Train process owners on EOS core process methodology
• [ ] Begin tracking process metrics in EOS Scorecard
• [ ] Include process updates in Level 10 meetings
• [ ] Create EOS Rocks for process improvement

Quarter 2: Expansion and Refinement

Month 4-6: Full EOS Core Process Rollout

• [ ] Document remaining core processes
• [ ] Train all employees on relevant EOS core processes
• [ ] Integrate into EOS People Analyzer reviews
• [ ] Create process improvement Rocks for leadership team
• [ ] Start documenting supporting processes

Connecting Core Processes to other EOS Tools

EOS Scorecard Integration:

• Add key metrics from each EOS core process
• Track weekly in Level 10 meetings
• Use metrics to identify process improvement opportunities

EOS Rocks Integration:

• Create quarterly Rocks for process improvement
• Assign process enhancement projects to team members
• Track process implementation progress

EOS People Analyzer Integration:

• Include process adherence in employee reviews
• Use core processes for training new employees
• Connect process performance to individual development

Real-World Core Process Success Story

Tammey Bertrand, VP of Organizational Development at 31st Street Capital, told us during her Strety case study interview that she’d seen traditional business processes fail repeatedly. “Many organizations associate complex strategic plans with large binders that are rarely revised,” she explains. These documents “end up collecting dust on shelves.”

What drew Tammey to the EOS core process approach was its fundamental difference: “What I love about EOS is that it is genuinely a simple, elegant, organic, living, breathing business plan that is lived every day and that is made so much easier through tools like Strety.”

Instead of creating documentation that gets ignored, the EOS core process becomes part of daily workflow. “Organizations are encouraged to evaluate their goals not just quarterly, but weekly, fostering a culture of accountability.”

At 31st Street Capital, which manages multiple companies, Tammey has seen the scalable impact: “We are consistently outperforming our competitors” through disciplined EOS core process implementation.

The key insight: EOS core processes aren’t just about internal efficiency — they’re about competitive advantage through consistent execution.

Core Process Best Practices

Common EOS Core Process Implementation Mistakes

1. Over-Complicating EOS Core Process Documentation

• Problem: Creating complex flowcharts instead of simple EOS format
• Solution: Follow EOS Three-Step Process Documenter exactly
• Best Practice: If it takes more than 10 minutes to understand, simplify

2. Ignoring EOS Tool Integration

• Problem: Treating core processes as separate from EOS implementation
• Solution: Connect every process to Scorecard metrics and Rocks
• Best Practice: Every EOS core process should have measurable outcomes

3. Wrong EOS Core Process Focus

• Problem: Documenting too many processes instead of focusing on core
• Solution: Strictly limit to 5-7 most important processes
• Best Practice: Use 80/20 rule religiously — core processes drive most results

4. Lack of EOS Core Process Accountability

• Problem: Creating processes without clear ownership or follow-through
• Solution: Assign owners from Accountability Chart and track in Level 10s
• Best Practice: Include process performance in People Analyzer reviews. You can also attach a Core Process Playbook to a seat in the Accountability Chart in Strety.

How to Get Team Buy-In for Core Process Documentation

Connect to Vision (V/TO):

• Show how core processes support achieving your 10-Year Target
• Link process consistency to Core Values execution
• Demonstrate connection between processes and 3-Year Picture

Use EOS Language and Tools:

• Frame as “creating our Way” (EOS terminology)
• Connect to existing EOS Rocks for process improvement
• Include in Level 10 meeting discussions
• Add to EOS Scorecard for accountability

EOS Core Process Champions:

• Start with Integrator and other leadership team members
• Use EOS Implementer (if you have one) to reinforce importance
• Create process improvement Rocks for willing team members

Core Process Maintenance and Improvement

Quarterly EOS Core Process Review (align with EOS quarterly meetings):

• [ ] Review process performance metrics from EOS Scorecard
• [ ] Gather feedback from process owners and users
• [ ] Identify improvement opportunities for next quarter’s Rocks
• [ ] Update EOS core process documentation based on lessons learned
• [ ] Ensure alignment with updated Vision/Traction Organizer

EOS Core Process Continuous Improvement Framework:

1. Measure: Track metrics in weekly EOS Scorecard
2. Discuss: Address issues in Level 10 meetings
3. Solve: Use EOS Issues Solving Track (IDS) for improvements
4. Rock: Create quarterly Rocks for major process enhancements
5. Monitor: Review progress in 90-day EOS cycles

Advanced Core Process Integration

Connect to EOS Quarterly and Annual Planning:

• Include process review in quarterly EOS sessions
• Set annual process improvement goals
• Align process enhancements with 3-Year Picture

Link to EOS People Component:

• Use core processes for structured onboarding
• Include process adherence in People Analyzer reviews
• Connect process training to employee development Rocks

Integrate with EOS Data Component:

• Create leading indicators for each core process
• Track process metrics weekly in EOS Scorecard
• Use data to drive process improvement discussions

Next Steps and Resources

The Business Impact of EOS Core Process Implementation

Companies that successfully implement the EOS core process component experience:

• Consistent execution across all business functions
• Faster scaling without founder bottlenecks
• Higher quality through standardized procedures
• Better EOS implementation overall through process discipline

Your EOS Core Process Implementation Next Steps

Start Your EOS Core Process Journey Today:

1. Review your current EOS implementation — are you strong in the other 5 components?
2. Choose your first EOS core process — pick the one causing the most inconsistency
3. Use the EOS Three-Step Process Documenter method outlined in this guide
4. Connect to your existing EOS tools — Scorecard, Rocks, Accountability Chart
5. Track progress in Level 10 meetings and create improvement Rocks

Core Process Resources and Tools

Free EOS Core Process Templates:

• EOS Three-Step Process Documenter worksheet from EOS Worldwide
• EOS Core Process Implementation Timeline PDF
• EOS Core Process documentation template
• EOS Rock template for process improvement

Advanced Core Process Implementation: For teams serious about mastering the EOS core process component, consider an EOS platform like Strety to integrate process documentation with Playbooks, Scorecard tracking, and Rock management — making your EOS core processes truly “living, breathing” parts of your business operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions: EOS Core Process

Q: How many EOS core processes should my business have? 

A: Most EOS businesses have 5-7 core processes. More than 7 usually means you’re not focusing on truly “core” processes.

Q: How does EOS core process documentation differ from regular SOPs? 

A: EOS core processes focus on the vital few processes that drive 80% of results, use simple visual format, and integrate with other EOS tools like Scorecard and Rocks.

Q: Should I document EOS core processes before or after implementing other EOS components? 

A: Most EOS Implementers recommend getting Vision, People, and Data components strong first, then adding Process component. But you can start anytime.

Q: How do EOS core processes connect to my EOS Scorecard? 

A: Each core process should have measurable outcomes that become metrics on your weekly EOS Scorecard, creating accountability and visibility.

Q: What if my team resists EOS core process documentation? 

A: Use EOS language and tools — frame as “creating our Way,” connect to Core Values, and make it part of achieving EOS Rocks and 10-Year Target. It’s not always easy to ensure your team is on the same page, but overcoming alignment challenges is critical.

Q: How often should I update my EOS core processes?

A: Review quarterly during EOS sessions, make minor updates as needed, but avoid constant changes that prevent consistency.

This guide provides the complete framework for implementing the EOS core process component using proven EOS methodology. For advanced EOS implementation with integrated process management, consider EOS-compatible platforms that combine core process documentation with EOS Scorecard tracking, Rock management, and Level 10 meeting tools.