The Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) is a complete set of concepts and practical tools that small and midsize businesses use to standardize how they operate. Every organization already has an operating system of some kind. EOS is a field-tested methodology designed to make that system work better, so leadership teams spend less time fighting fires and more time building toward their vision.

Gino Wickman created EOS and founded EOS Worldwide to share the methodology with others and train Implementers who could bring an experienced perspective to organizations getting started and running on the system.

Ninety is the most comprehensive software for EOS. This article provides a brief overview of the EOS Model®, the EOS Process®, and Ninety's impact on your EOS journey. Find our EOS-specific resources to help you get started with EOS Powered by Ninety.

The EOS Model® organizes everything that goes into running a great organization into Six Key Components®:

Every team in an EOS company works to strengthen these components every quarter as part of the 90-Day World® of EOS. To learn more, read our blog, What Is the EOS Model® and How Can It Transform Your Business.

The table below shows which Ninety tool corresponds to each EOS component. Use it as a quick reference when getting started.

The Vision Component® is about getting every person in your organization 100% on the same page with where you're going and how you plan to get there. The primary tool for this component is the Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®), which documents your company's identity and strategic direction by answering EOS's 8 Questions™:

Where in Ninety: The V/TO tool. Read Introduction to the V/TO to get started.

Read more about the Vision Component from our blog, Align Your Future with the Vision/Traction Organizer®.

The People Component® is about having the right people in the right seats. In EOS, "right person" means someone who shares your Core Values. "Right seat" means they have the skills and capacity (what EOS calls GWC®: Get it, Want it, Capacity to do it) for their role.

Where in Ninety: The Accountability Chart® (your organization's structure), the People Analyzer® (for evaluating Core Values and GWC), and Quarterly Reviews in the 1-on-1 tool (for quarterly and annual reviews). Quarterly Reviews is a Ninety Plus feature, separate from EOS's Quarterly Conversation™, and turning on EOS Pure™ hides its tab. Read Introduction to the Accountability Chart® and The People Analyzer®.

The Data Component® is about running your organization on facts rather than feelings or opinions. Every team member should own at least one weekly Measurable: a specific, trackable number that shows whether their area of the business is on track. An effective Scorecard (your weekly metrics dashboard) contains five to fifteen Measurables.

Where in Ninety: The Scorecard tool. Read Introduction to Scorecards and Creating and Updating Measurables.

Read more about the Data Component from our blog, EOS Scorecard™: Make Data Your Superpower.

The Issues Component® is about how well your teams identify, discuss, and resolve the obstacles, opportunities, and decisions that come up every week. EOS uses a method called IDS® (Identify, Discuss, Solve) to work through the Issues list systematically during weekly meetings.

Solving Issues is a crucial part of any meeting. Typically, the IDS section of an EOS meeting is the longest agenda item. IDS is a simple framework for teams to master:

Where in Ninety: The Issues tool. Read Prioritizing and Ranking Issues.

Read more about the Issues Component® from our blog, Gain Traction with IDS® from EOS®.

The Process Component® is about creating consistency by documenting and following your Core Processes. When your team follows proven processes, you reduce errors, scale more predictably, and free up leadership to focus on growth.

Where in Ninety: The Knowledge Portal. Read Documenting Your Processes with the Knowledge Portal.

Learn more about this component from the co-author of EOS's book Process! in this blog post, Three-Steps to Meaningful Process Improvement.

The Traction Component® is about execution and turning your vision into reality through consistent discipline and accountability. The core tools of this component are Rocks (90-day priorities set each quarter), the weekly Level 10 Meeting® (L10®), and your To-Do list. These create the rhythm that keeps your team moving forward.

Where in Ninety: The Rocks, Meetings, and To-Dos tools (available inside meetings and on My 90). Read Meetings Tool Basics.

Rocks are your team's most important objectives over the next 90 days. These quarterly goals position your company to achieve its annual goals and move it forward substantially.

Read more about the Rocks from our blog, How to Implement EOS® Rocks for Business Success.

What you'll cover, how you'll document the next steps, and how you'll meet are all part of your organization's or team's meeting pulse. Strong EOS teams consistently meet for their weekly Level 10 Meeting® and hold quarterly meetings every 90 days, including an extended annual meeting.

Consistent meetings allow your team members to focus on getting their work done because they know their Issues will be addressed and resolved during meetings.

Read more about Level 10 Meetings from our blog, Lead World-Class EOS® Level 10 Meetings™ Powered by Ninety.

To-Dos are seven-day action items, usually agreed during IDS in your weekly meeting. Aim for your team to complete 90% of them each week.

Where in Ninety: The To-Dos tool. Read Introduction to To-Dos.

The EOS Process® is how organizations begin implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System through a series of meetings for the leadership team. There are two paths:

Whether you self-implement or work with an Implementer, the EOS Process follows a consistent cadence:

More than 18,695 companies run on Ninety. If you're self-implementing, set up your tools in the order the EOS Process introduces them. Start with Preparing for and Running Your Focus Day® on Ninety, then:

To track how far you've come, document your team's proficiency with the EOS Toolbox™ and measure your Six Key Components with the Org Assessment.

When you're ready to bring in the rest of the company, invite your team and use the 10-week EOS Powered by Ninety onboarding guide.

To see how you can use our platform to improve your business, watch the Ninety Overview (EOS) video or browse more EOS-specific resources.

What size of company is EOS designed for? EOS works best for entrepreneurial organizations with 10–250 employees. Many organizations with fewer or more employees also run on EOS successfully, but this range is the core sweet spot.

Is EOS a one-time project or an ongoing system? EOS is an ongoing system, not a one-time implementation. Organizations that get the most out of EOS commit to it as a permanent way of operating. Many companies have been running on EOS® for ten years or more.

What's the difference between self-implementing and working with a Professional EOS Implementer®? Self-implementation is a great option for cost-conscious teams or those with strong internal discipline. A Professional EOS Implementer® brings facilitation experience, an outside perspective, and accountability that can accelerate the process — particularly for leadership teams working through difficult decisions. Visit EOS Resources to learn how to find an Implementer.

Where can I learn more about EOS as a methodology? Ninety's help center and blog cover EOS concepts extensively. The EOS Glossary is a complete reference for every EOS term. For a deeper dive, Gino Wickman's book Traction is the foundational text, and What the Heck Is EOS? is written for team members newer to the system.