Business owners are always looking for ways to streamline performance tracking and drive success. But with so many data points to consider and different tracking systems at your disposal, the process can get unwieldy and overwhelming. The Scorecard in the Data Component™ of the EOS Model® is a simple but powerful tool to gauge whether your business is on or off track. In this post, we’ll guide you through systematically strengthening the EOS Scorecard for your business success.
What Is the EOS Scorecard?
The EOS Scorecard provides clarity, focus, and accountability. It’s a clear snapshot of your company’s performance so you can spot trends, address issues promptly, and align your team with your goals. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about accountability, continuous improvement, and winning. We know that what gets measured gets done.
The EOS Scorecard is designed to measure business performance and promote team accountability. It contains 5–15 activity-based numbers called Measurables.
This powerful tool is also powerfully simple. It has four key columns: the what (number), the who (the person who owns or drives the number), the goal for the week, and the date (the 13 weeks for the quarter).
The patterns or trends bring visibility and an opportunity to fix what’s not working. If the number is off track, you “drop it down” to the short-term Issues List and IDS® (Identify, Discuss, and Solve) when you get to that section of your Level 10 Meeting™. Teams who get this discipline love that EOS focuses on advancing or fixing what’s off rather than just endlessly talking about it.
How to Build an Effective Scorecard
How do you know if you have the right Scorecard and it’s working? Simple: When you have the right Scorecard, you’ll objectively know if you’re doing the work outlined in The Accountability Chart™. Your manager will know what work you’ve accomplished, and the team will know if they’ve been on or off track.
In your Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO), you set quarterly and annual goals for revenue, profit, and other key numbers. If you do the right work and measure it through your Scorecard(s), the result should be attaining these goals every 90 days.
So let’s build a Scorecard:
Identify Activity-Based Key Metrics and Mission-Critical Numbers that Impact Progress
Less is more. Far too many teams focus on trying to have “more” than less. Each department leader will typically own 1–3 Measurables. Since the Senior Leadership Team often has 5 people, we see 5–15 Measurables in the Scorecard. Simply ask each leader to identify the numbers that they work on weekly.
Look for the Learning, but IDS on the Measurables Until You Get Them Right
Too often, teams hesitate to call an item off track. Instead, they look at an off-track Scorecard and say: “Next week will be better.”
But it won’t be if you don’t do the work to learn about issues that are keeping it off track. Instead, enter the danger, IDS, and look for permanent solutions.
Link Measurables to Core Processes to Know if They’re Struggling or Off Track
Every business has 8–14 core processes, like hiring, sales, or marketing processes. You just need to identify the numbers that govern the health of these processes and then add them to your Scorecard.
Start with Marketing or Sales if the Team Feels Stuck
You’re looking for activity-based leading indicators. Success begins with funnel metrics since most organizations have these elements identified. Basically, in sequence, how do we get more customers? Once we outline 1–3 Measurables, teams start to see other functional areas in a new light.
Don’t Focus on Your Industry Until Your Scorecard Has Evolved
EOS Implementers® and Ninety are often asked for industry-specific templates for Scorecards. While there are trends and patterns we see over time, the best way is to get started with your business. We aren’t inventing anything new; the answers are in the room, and you’re already doing the work. So just measure it and build from there. Later on, as you get stronger in the tool, you can look to understand performance and industry comparables.
Create an Easy-to-Read Scorecard Using the EOS Powered by Ninety Platform
Our dynamic Scorecard tool makes it easy to see current values, performance, trends, and more to guide weekly decisions and, when appropriate, course-correction issue-solving. The Scorecard should have one owner. Most of the time, it’s the Integrator™, who is also your EOS Powered by Ninety champion.
We love the EOS disciplines Shared by All and Followed by All. With Ninety’s Scorecard, the entire team has access to update their Measurables from anywhere, anytime, so everyone can be ready for that weekly Level 10 Meeting. One of our favorite features is the ability to click on the Measurable that is off track, then click again to make it an Issue waiting for when you get to the IDS section of your Level 10 Meeting agenda.
Once your company or senior leadership team Scorecard becomes stronger, it will be time to roll out department Scorecards as well. Aim for 5–15 Measurables, depending on the department size. Keep it simple to see that you’re doing the weekly activities necessary for success and to have healthy team accountability.
Building an effective Scorecard takes time and practice; it won’t be perfect right out of the gate. Eventually, you’ll find the rhythm and see how it drives improvement in your organization. Remember, as you hit your targets, celebrate these wins to motivate the team and further strengthen their resolve.
Harness the Power of the EOS Scorecard
You can implement your EOS Scorecard in Ninety in less than 15 minutes. That’s the fun work. The real work begins when you track your Measurables weekly, create a clear accountability system, and bring the Scorecard into the Level 10 Meeting and IDS as a healthy team. Every day is a great day to start your journey with EOS Powered by Ninety.
Begin your free trial of Ninety and start gaining clarity, focus, and accountability – and, most importantly, traction.
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