Say it like this
- Let's set ambitious OKRs for next quarter
- We need to align our OKRs with company strategy
- How are we tracking against our OKRs this month?
- Our OKR is to reduce API latency by 40 percent
Use it at work
Planning
- Let's set our OKRs for Q3.
- Our objective is to improve onboarding. The key result is 50% activation.
Reviewing
- We hit two of our three OKRs.
- This work doesn't map to any OKR.
Pushing back
- That's a task, not a key result.
- Let's keep OKRs few and clear.
Don't say this
An OKR must include both an objective and measurable key results. Activities or features alone are not OKRs.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKR | Goal plus measurable results | Leadership, teams | Quarterly |
| KPI | Ongoing health metric | Teams | All the time |
| north star | One main long-term goal | Leadership | Years |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager asks about your team goal for next quarter. Which response sounds most like how tech professionals talk?
2. During our planning session, we _______ three ambitious OKRs that align with the company strategy.
3. Which sentence uses OKRs incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this using the OKR framework: We want to make our API faster and easier to use for developers next quarter.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 4
"Let's set ambitious OKRs for next quarter"
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about OKR
Real examples(3)
- in a planning meeting
"Our Q3 OKR is to increase deployment frequency to 50 times per week while maintaining zero critical incidents."
- in a status update
"We're on track with two of our three OKRs, but we need to reprioritize work to hit the third one."
- in a one-on-one
"How do your individual OKRs connect to the team OKRs we discussed?"
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. OKRs are not the same as KPIs or general goals. OKRs require a clear measurable result tied to an objective. Avoid using OKR to mean any target or metric.
- ✕We have 15 OKRs for this quarter.✓We have 3-5 OKRs for this quarter to maintain focus.
Too many OKRs dilute focus. Best practice is 3-5 per team, not 15. This creates confusion and reduces alignment.
- ✕Our Key Result is to improve code quality.✓Our Key Result is to reduce critical bugs by 50 percent as measured by our incident tracker.
Key Results must be measurable and specific. Vague improvements like improve quality are not effective OKRs.
Other forms(2)
- OKR noun
"We set three OKRs for the infrastructure team this quarter."
- OKRs noun
"All OKRs must be reviewed and committed to by Friday."
Often used with(6)
- set OKRs · To establish or define OKRs for a team or period
- track OKRs · To monitor progress toward OKRs over time
- align OKRs · To ensure team OKRs support company OKRs
- commit to OKRs · To formally agree to achieve specific OKRs
- ambitious OKRs · OKRs that are challenging but achievable
- quarterly OKRs · OKRs that cover a three-month planning period
Similar words(2)
- goals and metrics · More informal way to describe what OKRs accomplish, but less structured
- strategic objectives · Broader term that includes OKRs but not limited to them
Questions(5)
- What is the full form of OKR?
- OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results. A goal-setting framework where you define what you want to achieve (Objective) and how you measure success (Key Results).
- What is the difference between an OKR and a KPI?
- OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are time-bound goals typically set for a quarter or year that define what a team wants to achieve and how success is measured. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are ongoing metrics that measure business or team performance continuously. OKRs are about setting ambitious new targets, while KPIs track existing operational performance.
- How do you write a good Key Result?
- Good Key Results are specific, measurable, and outcome-focused. Use numbers and percentages rather than vague descriptions. For example, increase customer retention rate from 85 percent to 92 percent is better than improve customer retention. Key Results should feel ambitious but achievable, typically expecting 70-80 percent completion.
- How often should OKRs be reviewed?
- OKRs are typically set on a quarterly or yearly cycle. During the OKR period, teams review progress weekly or bi-weekly in status meetings or check-ins. At the end of the quarter, teams conduct a retrospective to evaluate completion and learn from what worked or did not work before setting new OKRs.
- What is the difference between an Objective and a Key Result?
- An Objective describes what you want to achieve (the direction or goal), while Key Results are the measurable outcomes that prove you achieved the Objective. For example, Objective: Improve mobile app user experience. Key Results: Reduce app crash rate by 50 percent, increase app session length by 20 percent.
