JustOrg Design vs. EOS Software Platforms
A detailed, feature-by-feature comparison to help you understand which approach best serves your organization
Understanding the Difference
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) helps entrepreneurial companies create strong execution discipline—clear accountability, structured meetings, quarterly priorities, and measurable metrics. It's a proven system used by thousands of businesses. Various software platforms have been built to help companies implement and run EOS, including Ninety.io and EOS One.
JustOrg Design was purpose-built to solve a different problem first: the structural misalignment that nonprofits have struggled with for decades. When your organizational structure (how decisions flow, where authority sits, how teams collaborate) isn't designed to execute your current strategy, even the best execution discipline won't fix it.
Why We Compare to EOS Software Platforms
EOS is the proven gold standard for entrepreneurial companies with thousands of successful implementations. Their execution discipline—quarterly rocks, weekly scorecards, structured meetings—works brilliantly for organizations operating in stable structures and markets.
We see EOS software platforms as the best comparison because, like JOD, they are comprehensive operating systems, not just task trackers. Both provide end-to-end solutions for running organizations effectively.
The key difference:
EOS platforms assume your organizational structure works and focus on execution discipline within that structure. JOD was purpose-built to solve the problem nonprofits have struggled with for decades: maintaining ongoing alignment between strategy, structure, and decision-making as reality constantly shifts.
Funding landscapes shift. Community needs surge. Programs evolve. Staff transition. JOD doesn't just help you align once—it makes continuous alignment possible as you learn and adapt, without creating chaos or starting over. That's what lets you stay responsive while building the institutional knowledge and leadership capacity you need for long-term impact.
Your success (not our feature list) is the measure of whether we are getting it right.
The Bottom Line
EOS software platforms (like Ninety.io and EOS One) assume your structure works and help you execute the EOS methodology more efficiently through automation and digitization. They're excellent at turning EOS practices into connected workflows when structure isn't the problem.
JustOrg Design starts one level deeper: Is your structure actually designed to execute your strategy? Once you achieve structure-strategy alignment, JOD provides comprehensive execution tools purpose-built for the complexity of nonprofit work—all integrated in one system that evolves as you learn.
If you're experiencing structural misalignment, or if your work requires adaptive, cross-functional collaboration across programs, partners, and funding streams, JOD addresses the root cause while providing all the execution discipline you need to succeed.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
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JustOrg Design justorgdesign.com → |
EOS Software Platforms Like: |
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| Primary Focus | |
| Making structural misalignment visible and correcting it, then enabling disciplined execution within that aligned structure | Creating execution discipline and accountability within existing organizational structure through proven EOS methodology |
| Core Philosophy | |
| You can't execute well if your structure is fighting your strategy. Fix alignment first using purpose-built tools, then build in execution discipline | Assume structure is sound. Focus on getting everyone aligned on vision and accountable for execution through proven frameworks and connected workflows |
| Built For | |
| Justice-committed nonprofits doing complex, interdisciplinary work across multiple programs, partners, and funding streams. Purpose-built for organizations where work doesn't fit neatly into siloed departments | Entrepreneurial businesses across all industries. Proven with thousands of companies operating in more stable structures and defined markets |
| Vision & Priorities | |
| Maps organizational purpose and strategies into structural design; shows in real-time how each Team and Table's work connects to specific strategic priorities. Strategy-structure alignment is the foundation | Digital V/TO (Vision/Traction Organizer) tool ensures leadership team is 100% aligned on vision, long-term goals, and where the organization is going. Real-time dashboards show company health at a glance |
| Organizational Model | |
| Cross-functional Teams and Tables designed around how interdisciplinary work actually happens. Built for collaboration within and across teams. Structure can adapt as you learn without chaos | Traditional hierarchical structure with clear Accountability Chart showing roles, seats, and reporting lines. Digital chart defines who has which seat and responsibilities within departmental boundaries |
| Meeting Management | |
| Real-time collaborative Meeting Space with: live presence tracking, capture boards for group ideation, shared note-taking, real-time decision capture with full context, commitment tracking across meetings, structured Group Voting, automatic email results. Everything captured flows into real-time reporting—no separate data entry | Digital Level 10 Meetings following EOS format with structured, timed agenda: Scorecard review, Rocks review, IDS (Issue-Discuss-Solve), To-Dos. High user satisfaction ratings. Meeting prep and follow-up automated |
| Decision-Making Process | |
| Three integrated methods: (1) Real-time decisions captured during meetings with full context and strategic links, (2) Structured Group Voting with multiple proposal rounds and three voting methods (Consent/Consensus/Majority), (3) Planner-based decisions during strategic planning. All decisions tracked with complete Decision Path showing evolution | IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) process. Issues are identified, discussed, and solved with clear ownership. Digital Issues list with tracking and resolution. Simple, fast decision-making focused on moving forward |
| Decision Evolution & Tracking | |
| Progressive decision management system: Complete Decision Path journal showing what changed, when, why, and who updated it. Material Change notifications alert Group Leads. Archive/unarchive functionality preserves institutional knowledge. Decisions are expected to evolve as organizations learn—this is built into the system | Issues once solved are marked complete with historical tracking. If circumstances change, create new rocks or adjust scorecard in quarterly planning. System tracks issue resolution trends and patterns over time |
| Strategic Planning & Execution | |
| Table Planner creates Actions explicitly linked to specific organizational strategies. Each Action tracks Activity updates (timestamped progress notes), moves through four states, includes explanations for changes. Plan meetings tied to Actions. Maintain linked core documents. Real-time visibility shows strategy activation across all Teams and Tables | Digital Rocks (3-7 quarterly priorities) with status tracking, milestones, and progress updates. Share Rocks across teams for alignment. To-Dos assigned with deadlines. Integrates with Google Tasks, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft To-Dos for workflow automation. Annual V/TO planning sets long-term vision |
| Progress Tracking | |
| Three levels: (1) Commitments persist across meetings—internal group work visibility, (2) Actions track strategic execution with Activity updates—organizational visibility to strategy activation, (3) Real-time reporting by Group and by Strategy. All data captured automatically from actual work—no separate data entry required | Digital Scorecard with 5-15 weekly measurable metrics per person with red/green status. Quarterly Rock tracking shows progress toward 90-day priorities. Scorecard visualization charts show trends. Real-time dashboards for instant visibility into company health |
| Reporting | |
| Real-time visibility across two dimensions: (1) By Group—see each Team or Table's strategic activity, decisions, meetings, and Actions, (2) By Strategy—see which Teams/Tables are activating each organizational strategy and where activation is stalling. All data pulled automatically from actual work—no duplicate reporting required | Company-wide dashboards show real-time health at a glance. Scorecard trends identify issues before they escalate. Rock completion rates track quarterly priorities. V/TO progress visible to entire organization. Issue resolution patterns inform continuous improvement |
| Team Structure & Collaboration | |
| Integrated support for both functional (Teams) and cross-functional (Tables) structures. Each can have sub-groups for complexity. Staff participate in multiple Teams/Tables reflecting actual work patterns. Designed for interdisciplinary collaboration across silos. Structure adjusts as work evolves—no org chart chaos | Clear Accountability Chart with defined seats and reporting lines. Right Person Right Seat methodology ensures proper role fit. Seat structure defines clear ownership and responsibility boundaries. Focus on ensuring right people with right capabilities in right roles within traditional hierarchy |
| Institutional Knowledge | |
| Complete Decision Paths show evolution of decisions with timestamps and rationale. Meeting notes linked to strategies and commitments. Action Activity updates create audit trail of strategic work. Archive/unarchive preserves knowledge across staff transitions. New staff see not just what but why and how decisions connect to strategy | Meeting notes archived with searchable history. Issue resolution patterns tracked over time. Rock history shows quarterly evolution. To-Do completion creates activity record. Scorecard trends reveal organizational patterns and inform planning |
| Measurement Philosophy | |
| Strategic activity tracking shows what's actually activating strategy vs. just keeping people busy. Automatic data capture from real work prevents double-entry burden on staff. Focus on: Are we actually doing strategic work? Is our structure supporting or hindering activation? What organizational learning should inform evolution? | Measurable weekly metrics (Scorecard) predict organizational health. 5-15 numbers per person tracked consistently. Red/green status provides instant visibility. Focus on: Are we hitting our numbers? Are our quarterly priorities on track? Data drives accountability and course correction |
| Adaptability | |
| Built for continuous alignment as reality shifts. Update decisions without losing history. Adjust structure as strategies evolve without organizational chaos. Archive/unarchive preserves institutional knowledge. Platform designed knowing that nonprofit work constantly demands adaptive response while maintaining strategic coherence | Quarterly planning cycle enables strategic pivots while maintaining execution focus. Rock adjustments happen each quarter based on progress and priorities. V/TO updates as vision evolves. Issue resolution process addresses obstacles as they emerge. Structured rhythm balances consistency with flexibility |
| Learning & Development | |
| Process teaching included: We teach you the organizational design process while you use the platform. Knowledge is yours forever. Dedicated engagement manager guides implementation. Not just software—it's comprehensive system with process learning. Built for self-sufficiency while platform maintains what you've created | Extensive EOS training ecosystem available. Work with certified EOS Implementer for guided adoption. Self-implementation possible using EOS books and platform training. Online EOS Base Camp community provides peer support. Workshops, coaching, and resources reinforce methodology. Proven implementation frameworks guide rollout |
| Integration Philosophy | |
| Purpose-built integrated system: Strategy connects to structure. Meetings populate planning. Planning flows to reporting. Decisions link to Actions. Everything works together because it was designed together for the alignment problem. No integration required—it's one coherent system solving one fundamental problem | Platform integrations with tools you already use. Calendar sync for meeting management. Google Tasks, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft To-Dos integration for workflow automation. Slack/Teams notifications keep everyone informed. Zapier connectivity enables custom workflows. API available for deeper integrations. Works alongside existing tech stack |
| Primary Use Case | |
| Organizations experiencing structural misalignment or needing adaptive cross-functional collaboration. Purpose-built for nonprofits doing complex interdisciplinary work across programs, partners, funding streams. When your brilliant strategy keeps stalling because structure is fighting execution. When staff burn out not from working hard but from structure that doesn't support how work actually happens | Entrepreneurial companies seeking strong execution discipline and accountability. Organizations with sound structure wanting to strengthen vision alignment, meeting effectiveness, issue resolution, and quarterly planning rhythm. Companies ready to implement proven EOS methodology through connected digital workflows and automation |
