What are OKRs?

Goals

Mar 11

Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) are a motivational goal-setting framework for organizations, teams and individuals. Made by Andy Grove at Intel in 1975, OKRs guide the what and how of goals. Objectives are what you want to accomplish. Key results are how to do it. For example, Bono uses OKRs to achieve goals that support achieving his mission to end poverty. Companies such as Google and LinkedIn use OKRs to galvanize company, team and individual goals to achieve results.

[Objective] as measured by [Key Results]

Objectives are clearly defined goals. Key results are specific and measured outcomes used to track progress towards goal achievement. Each OKR is supported by an action plan, which articulates the work required to attain the desired objectives and key results.

Just like the S.M.A.R.T. goal framework, start with the end of the year in mind. Use action verbs. Make your goals realistic to achieve and challenging enough to keep you interested. Be clear, concise and positive. The greater the goal task challenge you set out to achieve — without going into a state of panic — the more likely it is that you will increase your goal performance.

Tips

Objectives

What do you want to accomplish?

Set 2-5 specific objectives.
Be bold.
Set an action plan.
Write it down.
Be transparent and share.

Key Results

What results will the objective achieve?

Set metrics.
Quantify results with numbers (e.g. % or $).
Make a commitment.
Get started now.
Track your progress.

Example

Launch new blog as measured by:

Select and purchase best avail domain by 12/1.
Build and publish blog on Squarespace by 12/15.
Write and publish a weekly post from 12/15.

Watch

Watch John Doerr’s TED Talk on how to use the OKR system to set audacious goals.

Nina Fiddian-Green