We are using EOS® to prep for an exit, but we are struggling to decide which operational processes actually need to be documented using the 3-Step Process Documenter™. How do we identify the core 20 percent of processes that yield 80 percent of our business value?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Buyers do not pay top dollar for tribal knowledge or chaotic operations. To secure a clean exit, you must document your core processes, but trying to document everything will paralyze your business. Use the EOS® 3-Step Process Documenter™ to focus strictly on your core business processes.

Start by identifying the vital few. Ask your leadership team to list the essential processes that dictate how you find, win, keep, and service customers, along with how you manage cash and people. This typically boils down to six to ten core processes, such as your HR process, your sales process, and your billing process.

Once identified, document only the major steps of these core processes. This is the 20/80 rule in action. You want high-level, bulleted workflows, not hundred-page manuals that nobody reads. Focus heavily on processes that can be streamlined or automated using modern AI tools to maximize profitability. For example, document your customer onboarding process so that a new hire or an automated system can execute it flawlessly every time.

When your core processes are documented and followed by all, you eliminate key-person dependency. This reassures potential buyers that the business can operate smoothly without the current ownership group, immediately driving up your valuation and ensuring a clean transition.