At Thrive Business Operations, we work with businesses that are hungry for growth but often stuck when it comes to execution. Many of these organizations use the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework and are familiar with Rocks—the quarterly priorities that define what’s most important.

Rocks are valuable. They help leadership teams focus and cut through the noise. But over time, many firms discover a gap: Rocks define what matters, but not how to get there or how to measure success along the way. That’s where OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) provide a powerful alternative.

The Difference Between Rocks and OKRs

Rocks (EOS):
– Establish the big priorities for the quarter
– Measured as binary: done or not done by quarter’s end
– Useful for direction, but progress can feel vague until the finish line

OKRs (Objectives & Key Results):
– Objective: Inspiring outcome that sets the “why”
– Key Results: 2–5 measurable milestones that define “how we’ll know we’re succeeding”
– Progress tracked weekly, giving visibility and accountability
– Promotes a “move the needle” mindset instead of just “check the box”

Why OKRs Drive Stronger Execution

At Thrive, we’ve seen how OKRs bring sharper tactical discipline to teams:

1. Clarity & Alignment – Every team member knows exactly what success looks like and how their role connects.
2. Measurable Progress – Weekly updates make execution visible and reduce surprises.
3. Better Execution – Large goals break down into actionable steps that move forward consistently.
4. Flexibility – Key Results can adjust mid-quarter when business realities shift.

A Practical Example

– Rock: Improve client experience

– OKR:
  Objective: Deliver a best-in-class client experience
  Key Results:
  1. Achieve a 9.0+ average client satisfaction score
  2. Respond to 90% of client inquiries within 24 hours
  3. Reduce client complaints by 30% this quarter

The Bottom Line

Both Rocks and OKRs are valuable tools. But if your organization is serious about tactical execution, measurable progress, and accountability at every level, OKRs provide a stronger framework.

At Thrive Business Operations, we help leadership teams make this shift—without losing the clarity EOS provides. The result? A team that doesn’t just set priorities but executes them with precision.

If you’d like to learn more about how OKRs can transform your firm’s execution, let’s connect. Thrive specializes in helping businesses bridge the gap between vision and results.