OKRs stands for “Objectives and Key Results,” and is a collaborative goal-setting model used by organisations to achieve challenging, ambitious goals.
The benefits of this robust goal-setting framework include improved focus, increased transparency, and better alignment around top priorities. Objectives and key results help entire companies communicate company strategy to employees in an actionable, measurable way.
What is an objective?
An objective is what you want to accomplish. Objectives are usually aspirational goals that are tied to the company’s larger strategic priorities.
What are key results?
The key results demonstrate how you’ll achieve your objective. Key results aren’t a task list. Key results are measures of the work, not the work itself.
📚Objectives & strategic cadence learning
OKRs
Before attempting to work with OKRs, review this comprehensive guide to OKRs and their usage inside adapt HQ. This is a crucial piece of learning that will enable you to build and implement an effective strategy.
Strategic cadence
It's important to understand why a strategic cadence is critical to successfully implement your business strategy. Review this comprehensive learning package on strategic cadence, why it's important, and what activities make up the cadence.
Tips for writing good OKRs
This article is a good primer on how to write effective OKRs.
Some general tips:
- Limit the number. No more than five organisation objectives and 2-3 key results per objective.
- Measure progress; key results could be $, units, % change.
- Be transparent. Make them visible to everyone.
- Grading should be simple and take very little time.
- Link organisation objectives to team and individual.
A common mistake is to write a key result as an objective. By definition, objectives are goals and intents. They need to be engaging and inspiring statements. Key Results are time-bound and measurable milestones.
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