Objective and Key Results (OKRs)
Objective and Key Results (OKRs) is a goal-setting framework used by teams and individuals to define ambitious yet achievable goals with measurable outcomes. OKRs combine qualitative objectives with quantitative key results, ensuring clarity, alignment, and focus throughout the development process.
Purpose
The purpose of OKRs is to align and engage a team around measurable goals, thereby improving focus, transparency, and accountability within the organisation. The measurable key results help teams prioritise tasks and activities that drive the most significant impact and provide a way to track progress toward objectives, enabling regular evaluation and adjustments as needed.
Format
- Objective: A qualitative, inspiring statement that describes the desired outcome or goal. Objectives should be ambitious, yet achievable, and clearly communicate the team's aspirations.
- Key Results: A set of 2-5 measurable metrics that define how success for the objective will be measured. Key results should be specific, time-bound, achievable, relevant, and quantifiable (SMART).
Worked Example
Objective: Enhance our mobile app's user experience to increase customer satisfaction.
- Key Result 1: Achieve a customer satisfaction score of 90%.
- Key Result 2: Reduce app crash rate by 50%.
- Key Result 3: Increase user session time by 20%.
Anti-patterns
- Unclear or uninspiring objectives: Objectives lacking focus or ambition fail to motivate and guide team efforts.
- Setting too many objectives: Overloading teams with too many goals, leading to focus dilution.
- Vague key results: Key results that are not quantifiable or lack a clear metric for success.
- Not reviewing OKRs regularly: Failing to track progress or adjust OKRs in response to changing circumstances.
- Lack of alignment: Setting OKRs that do not align with broader organisational goals.