Objectives & Key Result

An introduction to OKR

Objectives and Key Results (OKR) is a goal-setting framework that originated in the business world and is widely used by organizations to define and track objectives and their outcomes. Here's a breakdown of what Objectives and Key Results mean within the OKR framework:

1. Objective (O):

   • An objective is a clear and inspirational statement of what an individual, team, or organization aims to achieve.
   • It provides a direction and purpose, answering the question, "What do we want to accomplish?"
   • Objectives are qualitative and should be ambitious, motivating, and aligned with the overall mission and strategy.
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2. Key Results (KR):

   • Key Results are specific, measurable, and time-bound outcomes that indicate progress toward achieving the objective.
   • They are the quantifiable and actionable steps that contribute to the success of the objective.
   • Key Results provide a way to measure and track whether the objective is being achieved.

The relationship between objectives and key results is crucial in the OKR framework. Key Results are the means by which progress toward an objective is measured. They are the tangible, observable outcomes that indicate success. Usually, there are multiple key results associated with each objective.

For example, if the objective is to "Increase customer satisfaction," key results might include specific metrics like "Achieve a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 80," "Reduce customer support response time to under 24 hours," and "Launch a customer feedback survey with a 90% completion rate."

The combination of clear and inspiring objectives with specific and measurable key results creates a powerful framework for goal-setting and performance management. The OKR approach encourages transparency, alignment, and adaptability, as teams regularly assess and adjust their objectives based on progress and changes in the business environment.