Every founder wants the same thing. Clear goals, aligned teams and predictable execution. But choosing the right framework to organize those goals can feel confusing. Two of the most common systems are Rocks and OKRs. Both are powerful. Both work. Both help teams create focus and accountability. But they are not the same.
The key is understanding what problem each one solves and how they fit into the rhythm of your business.
What Are Rocks
Rocks come from the EOS framework created by Gino Wickman. They represent your most important priorities for the next ninety days. Think of them as the handful of essential outcomes that must be completed to move the business forward.
Rocks are:
- Simple
- High impact
- Time bound
- Owned by one person
- Limited to a small number per quarter
The purpose of Rocks is focus. Instead of chasing dozens of competing goals, your team commits to the few that matter most right now.
What Are OKRs
OKRs stand for Objectives and Key Results. They were popularized by Andy Grove at Intel and later adopted by Google. OKRs pair a high level objective with measurable key results that show whether the objective is being achieved.
OKRs are:
- Ambitious
- Measurable
- Aspirational
- Often cross functional
- Designed to stretch the team
The purpose of OKRs is alignment and measurable progress. They push teams to think bigger and track outcomes, not activities.
The Main Difference Between Rocks and OKRs
Although they both help teams set goals, Rocks and OKRs take different approaches.
Rocks create clarity and focus.
They define the handful of priorities you must complete this quarter. They keep the team grounded in execution and ensure that work actually gets done.
OKRs create alignment and stretch.
They clarify long term objectives and connect the entire company to shared, measurable outcomes.
Rocks ask, “What do we need to accomplish this quarter to move forward?”
OKRs ask, “What measurable results will tell us if we are achieving our bigger goal?”
When to Use Rocks
Rocks shine when:
- Your startup needs focus
- You have more ideas than capacity
- Your team struggles with follow-through
- Execution is inconsistent
- You need clear ownership
- You want a simple system anyone can adopt quickly
Rocks keep startups grounded and disciplined, especially when the whirlwind takes over.
When to Use OKRs
OKRs shine when:
- You need clear long term direction
- You want measurable outcomes tied to strategy
- Teams work cross functionally
- Goals need to be transparent across the company
- You want to stretch your team’s ambition
OKRs are powerful for scaling teams, product organizations and companies moving toward more sophisticated planning.
The Problem Most Startups Run Into
The mistake many founders make is trying to adopt OKRs before they have the operational discipline to support them. OKRs fall apart without:
- A steady weekly cadence
- Clear ownership
- Strong communication
- Consistent accountability
- A reliable planning rhythm
Without these, OKRs become a spreadsheet exercise that no one reviews until the next quarter.
Rocks, on the other hand, are far more forgiving. They build the foundation of structure, rhythm and execution that OKRs depend on.
The Truth: You Do Not Have to Choose
The best performing teams use both, but in the right order.
- Use Rocks to build your operating rhythm.
Get your team aligned around a quarterly focus. Hold weekly accountability meetings. Build predictable follow-through. - Use OKRs to expand your clarity and measurement.
Once your execution rhythm is strong, OKRs help you stretch your strategy and align measurable outcomes across the company.
Rocks create traction.
OKRs create direction.
Together they create a complete system.
Why We Built Wave
Wave was created around the core belief that founders need both focus and measurement. The system helps you set quarterly Rocks, assign clear ownership and track weekly progress. It also supports structured goals, metrics and long term priorities.
Instead of choosing one framework or the other, Wave gives you the operating rhythm that makes both work together.
You bring the vision. Wave brings the structure that brings the vision to life.
Practical Advice for Founders
If your company is young or chaotic, start with Rocks.
If your company has a strong weekly cadence, add OKRs.
If you want the best of both worlds, combine them in one unified operating system.
Both frameworks work when you work them.
