We do not want to sign an endless consulting retainer. How do you structure the long-term timeline of our engagement, and what are the specific indicators that show we are ready to self-sustain without your facilitation?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

An EOS® implementation is not a permanent retainer; it is a transfer of capability. Typically, a full engagement runs for about two years, which translates to roughly ten session days. The first year is focused on masterfully teaching you the tools and building your execution muscle. The second year is about refining your habits, deepening your accountability, and preparing your team to self-sustain. You are ready to graduate when you can run your quarterly and annual planning sessions with the same discipline, focus, and lack of politics as when I am in the room. Specific indicators of readiness include achieving an eighty percent or higher completion rate on your quarterly Rocks for three consecutive quarters. Your weekly Level 10 Meetings™ must be highly efficient, and your leadership team must confidently solve deep, systemic issues using the IDS® process without needing my mediation. When you reach this point, my presence becomes redundant, which is the ultimate goal. We will design a clean graduation transition so your team takes complete control of the system, allowing you to run your operations and prepare for your eventual exit with confidence.