# Objectives and Key Results OKRs work by separating the statement in the [[smart|SMART goal]] into multiple tasks. - **Key Results** = The **measurable outcomes** that define when the objective has been met. - Key Results at a higher level of management, becomes the Objectives at a lower level. - OKRs are not designed to be fully completed - OKR Levels - Company, often updated annually - Dept/Team - Project > [!tip] OKR Development Best Practices > > - Objectives should be motivational and inspiring. > - Key results as being tactical and specific. > - Objective describes what you want to do. > - Key results describe how you’ll know you did it. Criticism: True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking? (noted by James Clear in [[atomic-habits]]) ## History - Andy, the CEO and later Chair of Intel, invented OKR, and managed the whole Intel through OKRs. - John Doerr, Chairman of Kleiner Perkins, wrote a book *Measure What Matters*, which popularized OKR. ## Objectives **Objective** = Defines what needs to be achieved, a desired outcome. > [!tip] Strong _objectives_ should be > > - Aspirational > - Aligned with organizational goals > - Action-oriented > - Concrete > - Significant To shape the objectives, ask yourself and the team: - Does the objective help in achieving the project's overall goals? - Does the objective align with company and departmental OKRs? - Is the objective inspiring and motivational? - Will achieving the objective make a significant impact? ## Key Results > [!tip] Strong _key results_ should be > > - Results-oriented -- **not** a task > - Measurable and verifiable > - Specific and time-bound > - Aggressive yet realistic To shape the key results, ask yourself and the team: - What does success mean? - What metrics would prove that we've successfully achieved the objective? ## Tracking - Assign owners for each OKR - Score the OKRs - Percentage scale (1 to 10) - Traffic Light (Red, Yellow Green) - Yes/No - Regular OKR check-ins - Templates from [[google-project-management]] - [OKR Scoreboard Doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sLyiU71HEUpAp6YrwC-JHanhVbiFlwN8RRop9lSDVyA/template/preview) - [OKRs Scoreboard Spreasheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S8nUtc2jfmoXEWoooTIcRBWN3DFvmqqYJABp659Rh-8/template/preview) ## Resources - [Understanding the Unique Utility of OKRs vs. SMART Goals | Smartsheet](https://www.smartsheet.com/content/okr-vs-smart-goals) - [Google's OKR playbook | What Matters](https://www.whatmatters.com/resources/google-okr-playbook) - [Planning company goals | Asana](https://help.asana.com/hc/en-us/articles/17965094839067-Planning-company-goals) - [OKRs and SMART goals: What's the Difference? | What Matters](https://www.whatmatters.com/resources/okrs-smart-goals-difference-between) - [OKRs and KPIs: What They Are and How They Work Together | Reflektive](https://www.reflektive.com/blog/okrs-and-kpis-what-they-are-and-how-they-work-together/) - [How OKR and project management work together | Perdoo](https://www.perdoo.com/resources/okr-and-project-management/) - [OKR Examples | Adobe Communication Team](https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/okr-examples) - [Why the secret to success is setting the right goals | John Doerr | TED](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4N1q4RNi9I)