OKRs, or “objectives and key results

15/05/2024

OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that helps organizations align and track their objectives and outcomes. Objectives are the overarching goals that an organization wants to achieve, while Key Results are specific, measurable outcomes that indicate progress towards those objectives. OKRs are typically set at various levels of an organization, from the top down, to ensure alignment and focus on strategic priorities.

For example, an objective might be to increase customer satisfaction, and key results could include metrics such as customer survey scores, retention rates, or net promoter scores.

The OKR framework is known for its simplicity, transparency, and ability to drive alignment and focus throughout an organization. It encourages ambitious goal-setting while also providing clear metrics to track progress and success. Many companies, including Google, Intel, and LinkedIn, have adopted OKRs as part of their strategic planning and performance management processes.

Here are some examples of OKRs for a fictional company called "Tech Solutions Inc.":

Objective: Improve Customer Satisfaction

  • Key Result 1: Increase Net Promoter Score (NPS) from 40 to 50
  • Key Result 2: Reduce customer support response time from 24 hours to 12 hours
  • Key Result 3: Achieve a customer satisfaction rating of 90% or higher in quarterly surveys

Objective: Increase Product Innovation

  • Key Result 1: Launch two new product features based on customer feedback
  • Key Result 2: Increase the number of patents filed by 20%
  • Key Result 3: Achieve a 30% increase in revenue from new products compared to the previous quarter

Objective: Enhance Employee Engagement

  • Key Result 1: Improve employee satisfaction score on quarterly surveys from 75% to 85%
  • Key Result 2: Reduce employee turnover rate by 15%
  • Key Result 3: Implement at least three new employee development programs focused on skills enhancement

Each objective represents a high-level goal that the company aims to achieve, while the key results are specific, measurable outcomes that indicate progress towards those objectives. By setting clear and measurable key results, Tech Solutions Inc. can track their progress and ensure alignment towards their strategic priorities.


OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are both frameworks used to measure performance and drive progress in organizations, but they serve slightly different purposes and have different characteristics:  OKRs and KPIs are important frameworks for measuring performance and driving progress, OKRs focus more on setting ambitious goals and driving alignment, while KPIs are more about tracking specific performance metrics and providing ongoing feedback. They can be used together to create a comprehensive performance management system within an organization. 

OKRs (Objectives and Key Results):

  1. Focus on Goals: OKRs are primarily focused on setting and achieving goals. Objectives are the overarching goals that an organization or team wants to accomplish, while key results are specific, measurable outcomes that indicate progress towards those objectives.

  2. Ambitious and Aspirational: OKRs encourage setting ambitious and aspirational goals that push individuals and teams to strive for excellence. They are often set with the intention of stretching capabilities and driving innovation.

  3. Aligned and Transparent: OKRs are typically set at various levels of an organization and are designed to ensure alignment and transparency. When everyone's objectives are visible, it becomes easier to see how individual goals contribute to broader organizational objectives.

  4. Regular Review and Iteration: OKRs are usually set for a specific time period (e.g., quarterly or annually) and are regularly reviewed and updated. This allows organizations to adapt and pivot as needed based on changing circumstances and priorities.

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators):

  1. Focus on Performance Metrics: KPIs are metrics used to measure performance in specific areas of an organization, such as sales, marketing, or customer service. Unlike OKRs, which focus on goals and outcomes, KPIs are more about tracking performance against predefined benchmarks or targets.

  2. Quantitative and Measurable: KPIs are typically quantitative and measurable metrics that provide insight into how well an organization is performing in a particular area. They can include metrics like revenue, profit margins, customer satisfaction scores, or employee turnover rates.

  3. Operational and Tactical: KPIs are often used for operational and tactical decision-making within an organization. They provide real-time or near-real-time feedback on performance and can help identify areas for improvement or optimization.

  4. Stable and Long-term: While KPIs can change over time as organizational priorities evolve, they are generally more stable and long-term compared to OKRs, which are often refreshed and revised on a more frequent basis.

Using KPI's and OKR's together

Using KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) together can create a powerful framework for managing and driving performance within an organization. Here's how they can complement each other:

  1. Alignment: OKRs provide a framework for setting ambitious goals and objectives at various levels of the organization, ensuring alignment with the overall strategic direction. KPIs, on the other hand, help track performance against these objectives by providing specific metrics to measure progress.

  2. Clarity: OKRs provide clarity on what needs to be achieved and why it's important, while KPIs provide clarity on how progress will be measured and evaluated. This combination ensures that everyone understands both the desired outcomes and the metrics used to gauge success.

  3. Focus: OKRs help prioritize initiatives and focus efforts on the most important strategic objectives. KPIs help maintain focus by tracking progress towards these objectives and identifying areas that require attention or improvement.

  4. Feedback Loop: KPIs provide ongoing feedback on performance, allowing teams to course-correct and adjust their actions as needed to achieve the desired outcomes outlined in the OKRs. This feedback loop ensures that efforts are continuously aligned with strategic priorities.

  5. Balanced Scorecard: By integrating both OKRs and KPIs, organizations can create a balanced scorecard approach to performance management. OKRs focus on driving innovation, growth, and strategic initiatives, while KPIs ensure that operational performance and efficiency are also measured and optimized.

  6. Continuous Improvement: OKRs are typically set for a specific time period (e.g., quarterly or annually) and are regularly reviewed and updated. During these reviews, KPIs can provide data-driven insights into progress and performance, facilitating discussions on what's working well and what needs improvement.

  7. Adaptability: Both OKRs and KPIs allow for adaptability and flexibility in goal-setting and performance management. As organizational priorities change or external factors shift, OKRs and KPIs can be adjusted accordingly to ensure continued alignment and effectiveness.

In summary, using KPIs and OKRs together can create a holistic performance management framework that combines strategic goal-setting with actionable metrics for tracking progress, driving alignment, and fostering continuous improvement within an organization.