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Rock Best Practices

Effective Rocks are limited to 1-3 high-priority goals each quarter, aligned to strategic objectives, written as clear, measurable outcomes with defined key results, a single owner, and a realistic 90-day timeline. To maximize accountability and success, keep Rocks visible across the organization, review progress weekly, manage dependencies early, and ensure each Rock can be clearly evaluated as either done or not done by quarter end.

1. Limit Rocks to 1-3 per quarter

Rocks should represent the most important priorities for the next 90 days. Too many Rocks dilute focus. The recommendation is 1-3 company, team, or individual Rocks per quarter.

2. Align Rocks to larger goals

Start with the annual plan or company priorities and ask:

"What must happen this quarter to keep us on track?"

Rocks should move strategic objectives forward, not just capture routine work.

3. Write Rocks as outcomes, not activities

Good Rock:

    • Create and implement new XYZ template by September 30

Weak Rock:

    • Work on handbook review improvements

The test is whether someone can clearly say "Done" or "Not Done" at the end of the quarter.

4. Start the Rock title with a verb 

The Align training specifically recommends action-oriented titles such as: 

    • Create

    • Design

    • Draft

    • Implement

    • Launch

    • Develop 

This makes the Rock outcome-focused from the start.  

5. Define success with key results

The Align Guide recommends breaking each Rock into 3-5 key results.

Key results should:

A good rule:

Rock = destination
Key Results = major milestones that get you there

6. One owner per Rock

Even if multiple people contribute, only one person should own the Rock. Accountability must be clear.

7. Watch for dependency risks

If a Rock depends on another person, make sure they understand and agree to the commitment before finalizing the Rock.

8. Make Rocks public when possible

The recommended best practice is that Rocks remain visible across the organization. Visibility increases alignment, accountability, and understanding of how work connects to company priorities.

9. Review them every week

A Rock should not disappear until quarter-end. Review status weekly and mark as:

    • On Track 

    • Behind

    • At Risk 

    Weekly review prevents surprises and allows issues to be solved early.

    My Favorite "Rock Quality Check"

    Before submitting a Rock, ask:

    1. Is this one of the most important things I could accomplish this quarter?
    2. Can I clearly tell if it is done or not done?
    3. Would someone outside my department understand what success looks like?
    4. Do I own the outcome?
    5. Can it realistically be completed in 90 days?

    If the answer to any of those is "no," the Rock probably needs refinement.