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  • 1.  Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-20-2025 12:25 PM

    Has anyone had success implementing EOS in their firm?  My partner and I have discussed implementing this strategy for three years.  Would anyone share their success story or strategy?



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    John Chase AIA
    Chase Marshall, APAC
    Lafayette LA
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  • 2.  RE: Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-20-2025 05:19 PM

    Yes!  We have been using an adapted version in our office for about 2 years and would be happy to discuss offline.



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    Will Teass AIA
    Teass\Warren Architects
    Washington DC
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  • 3.  RE: Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-20-2025 05:38 PM
    Hi John,
    We have, but only the bits and pieces we felt were needed.  We definitely conduct our weekly Level 10 meetings with staff.  We have quarterly Rocks and we stick to the saving the Issues for later meetings. Totally helped streamline office/project organization into an extremely brief and to the point staff meeting.  

    As a small firm, these are the items that definitely help us weekly.  Once we grow larger, the systematic methods will be extremely useful.  But for now, the "management team"  Or Visionary, Integrator, etc. exists in myself only as the president of the small firm.  We do not have Departments yet.  However, I can see that when growth occurs, a system like EOS will work wonders.  Having no system in place now seems haphazard and planning for the firm's longevity without some system will be haphazard.  Getting everyone on-board and buy-in from all staff based on who "get's it" and has the "capacity" to handle the tasks at hand is extremely useful.  To see what everyone's working on daily/weekly/quarterly in order to hit annual milestones can only drive the business forward.  We do not hit our annual milestones dollar-wise, but to have the weekly/quarterly goals and giving the responsibility to staff to be accountable helps us all stay productive and profitable, which is the goal.  

    I would say any system you implement will be new and there will be some grumbling from some staff members.  That's where EOS allows the evaluation of people.  Having the right people in the right seats.  If you have not already read Traction and Rocket Fuel, recommend you start there to give you an idea of what you and your partner will need to face.

    Regards,
    Reid T. Mizue, AIA, LEED AP
    AIA Hawaii State Council - Past President
     OMIZU architecture inc
    WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR NEW LOCATION!
    615 Piikoi Street, Ste 501
    Honolulu, HI 96814
    808.721.4267






  • 4.  RE: Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-20-2025 06:51 PM

    Hi John, 

    I've used the EOS in my firm for about 8 years. It's been highly effective at helping us clarify goals, concentrate on the most important issues, increasing accountability, and achieving buy in from the firm. I'd say jump in and give it a try! Part of EOS is making steady improvement, so you can tweak the process as you go.

    We use a series of Smartsheets and dashboards for the recording goals, updating our scorecard, tracking to dos, and documenting issues and their resolution, but a good old word-processing document would accomplish the same thing.

    We got our initial training on the system through an Oregon State sponsored business growth grant. It was helpful to have someone walk us through the process a couple times until you get the rhythm of it. Or pick up a copy of Traction and Get a Grip by Gino Wickman & Mike Paton and that should be enough to get you started.



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    Seth Anderson AIA
    Principal Architect/Owner
    SĀJ Architecture
    Bend, Oregon
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  • 5.  RE: Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-21-2025 09:30 AM

    We are currently going through this now.  We have done the VTO and People Analyzer exercises so far, with future sessions scheduled this summer.  We went through a leadership transition a few years ago, so it was good to revisit and refocus our vision and goals. The People chapter is giving us a more objective lens on how we evaluate staff. 

    I had increasingly heard about EOS from friends at other companies, including architecture and engineering firms.  I read Traction on my own and pitched it to my 3 partners. Its baby steps for now but I see benefit long term. 



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    Catherine Morrison FAIA
    Neighboring Concepts, PLLC
    Charlotte NC
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  • 6.  RE: Implementing EOS in architecture firm

    Posted 05-21-2025 03:33 PM

    Hi John:

    A friend of mine was just telling me how she implemented this for a non-architecture business successfully and was now preparing to do the same exercise for an architecture firm.

    Her contact information is:

    Josephine Arbaugh, AIA at josephine.v.arbaugh@gmail.com

    I've texted her to give her a heads up that you might reach out to connect.



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    R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA, NOMA, MBA
    Sr. Vice President of Knowledge & Practice
    The American Institute of Architects
    Washington, DC
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