We want to use AI to automate our internal workflows, but we are struggling to decide which AI initiatives deserve to be quarterly Rocks and which are just operational noise. How do we prioritize AI projects within our EOS framework?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

AI can easily become a major distraction that pulls your leadership team off course if you do not manage it properly. To prioritize these initiatives, you must filter them through your V/TO® and your Accountability Chart. First, look at your core focus on the V/TO®. Does the proposed AI project directly support your core focus and help you achieve your three-year picture, or is it just a shiny object? If it supports your focus, assign it to a specific seat on the Accountability Chart. Every AI pilot, automated workflow, or tool integration must have a single human owner who is fully accountable for its implementation and results. If no one has the capacity to own the project, do not make it a Rock. Instead, put it on your long-term Issues List. When you do select an AI initiative as a Rock, scope it tightly. Do not set a Rock to automate your entire marketing department. Instead, set a Rock to integrate a specific AI tool into a single, high-friction workflow, such as drafting weekly client reports. This keeps your team focused on delivering high-impact, manageable improvements rather than chasing vague technological promises.