We want a clean exit, but our operations are currently a black box of tribal knowledge. What is the correct sequence for using the EOS® 3-Step Process Documenter™ alongside our implementation so we do not get bogged down in writing massive manuals?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The biggest mistake owners make when preparing for an exit is trying to document every single detail of their business at once. This leads to massive manuals that nobody reads and that quickly become obsolete. To use the 3-Step Process Documenter™ effectively during your EOS® implementation, you must follow a highly disciplined sequence. First, identify your core processes, which are typically fewer than ten high-level workflows that represent how you deliver value, such as your HR process, marketing process, and billing process. Second, document these processes at a high level. Use the eighty-twenty rule, meaning you document the twenty percent of the steps that yield eighty percent of the results. This keeps your documentation lean and readable. Third, package these processes into a clear training system so that everyone in the company is trained to follow them. This documented operating system is exactly what buyers want to see during due diligence. It proves that your business is repeatable and scalable, which directly increases your enterprise value and ensures a much cleaner transition after the sale.