Are you looking for a way to kickstart your goal-setting process? Check out these 18 OKR goals examples for inspiration. Plus, we’ve included tips on how to write your own OKRs.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your current goal-setting system, this guide will help get you there. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started.
What Are OKR Goals?
The OKR (Objective and Key Results) framework is designed to help businesses and individuals achieve specific goals by implementing measurable objectives.
The OKR framework consists of two parts:
- Objectives: Having objectives allows you to specify what you hope to accomplish.
- Key results: Tracking metrics help you measure progress and ensure you’re on track to meeting your objectives.
Since they are measurable, OKRs can provide employees with a sense of accomplishment and motivation. They see their hard work translating into tangible results.
Hence, while setting OKRs may require some upfront effort, the benefits make them worthwhile investments.
How to Write Effective OKR Goals
If you want your workplace to succeed with OKRs, consider following these 6 steps.
1. Understand the Organization’s Goals
Before you can start writing effective OKRs, you must understand your organizational goals. Only once you have come to a deep understanding of the mission can you begin to develop attainable team goals.
Keep in mind that OKRs should be set in collaboration. Each goal should ladder up into the next one.
To illustrate, starting with well-defined OKR goals in teams is expected. This helps everyone stay aligned and move in the same direction.
2. Be Inclusive
OKRs are two-way streets, not one-sided. Set up a team meeting to begin brainstorming and defining your OKRs.
Every employee should have a say in OKRs—this will make your team feel they have a shared responsibility for the company’s success.
Furthermore, keep everyone in the loop by posting continuous updates. In doing so, employees will understand how their work benefits themselves and the company.
3. Write an Objective Statement
Before determining your key results and initiatives, you should establish your objectives. Your objective ought to be one sentence long.
Recognize that objectives need to be ambitious, so it’s okay if they make you feel uneasy. On the contrary, feeling no discomfort means you may have set the bar too low for yourself.
4. List the Key Results
With key results, it’s possible to measure progress toward an objective. You are able to define how progress will be tracked.
Of course, ensure they’re always relevant to your objective and easy to quantify with a number, such as time, amount, etc.
5. Stay Consistent
Many businesses have great expectations from setting OKRs. They earnestly brainstorm across their teams and use goal software to boost their chances of reaching OKRs. Unfortunately, they put it in the back of their mind and soon forget about them.
OKRs only work when you consistently track and review them. Finding ways to make OKR reviews part of your goal-setting process would be best. That could be going over individual and team OKRs at weekly or monthly meetings.
6. Celebrate Milestones
The best OKRs should be challenging—they are meant to inspire you and your team wholeheartedly. But they should never demotivate you by being completely unrealistic.
There’s a fine line between the two. That’s why it’s essential to celebrate your successes, even if you don’t hit 100% of the key results.
18 OKR Goals Examples
Below are valuable examples of OKR goals:
Leadership OKR Examples
Objective: Develop next-gen leaders.
Key Results:
- Create a mentorship program and pair each high potential with a seasoned leader.
- Implement quarterly check-ins with each mentee to review the progress.
- Reduce the number of leadership positions vacant from 10% to 5%.
Objective: Build a positive company culture.
Key Results:
- Develop and launch an employee happiness survey to measure satisfaction levels.
- Increase the number of social events from four per year to eight per year.
- Encourage employees to take at least one day off per week.
Objective: Prevent employee burnout in the workplace.
Key Results:
- Reduce the number of meetings per week from 20 to 10.
- Encourage employees to take at least two days off per month.
- Increase the number of vacation days from 10 to 20.
Customer Success OKR Examples
Objective: Onboard new customers.
Key Results:
- Create and launch a customer onboarding program.
- Reduce customer churn from 5% to 2%.
- Publish 10-15 customer FAQs (frequently asked questions).
Objective: Meet the customers’ needs and desires.
Key Results:
- Launch a customer survey to measure satisfaction levels.
- Increase customer satisfaction from 60% to 70%.
- Reduce customer churn from 6% to 3%.
Objective: Provide better customer service.
Key Results:
- Respond to all customer inquiries within 24 hours.
- Resolve all customer complaints within 48 hours.
- Increase the number of positive customer reviews by 10%.
Marketing OKR Examples
Objective: Boost online sales by 25%.
Key Results:
- Improve website conversion rate by 2%.
- Generate 500 new leads from the website.
- Increase average order value by 10%.
Objective: Expand brand awareness
Key Results:
- Increase website traffic by 10%.
- Increase social media followers by 5%.
- Secure 10 new press mentions.
Objective: Launch a successful podcast campaign.
Key Results:
- Search for 40 potential guest speakers.
- Write 10 blog posts to help promote the podcast.
- Gain a subscriber base of 5,000 people in the first month.
Information Technology OKR Examples
Objective: Implement new software
Key Results:
- Develop and launch a new software platform.
- Migrate all data to the new platform.
- Provide training to employees on how to use the new platform.
Objective: Upgrade the security infrastructure.
Key Results:
- Install and maintain firewalls on all network devices.
- Implement a password policy for all employees.
- Educate employees on cyber security risks.
Objective: Optimize software costs.
Key Results:
- Reduce the number of software licenses by 25%.
- Consolidate data storage to reduce costs.
- Eliminate unnecessary software from company computers.
Human Resources OKR Examples
Objective: Keep employees happy and satisfied.
Key Results:
- Develop and launch an employee happiness survey.
- Increase employee satisfaction from 70% to 80%.
- Reduce employee turnover from 5% to 2%.
Objective: Encourage efficient communication.
Key Results:
- Create a monthly newsletter for all employees.
- Hold weekly team meetings to improve communication.
- Encourage employees to provide feedback on a monthly basis.
Objective: Train and develop employees.
Key Results:
- Develop a training program for all new hires.
- Provide continuing education opportunities for all employees.
- Increase the number of employees certified in company policies from 50% to 80%.
Finance OKR Examples
Objective: Increase revenue by 10%.
Key Results:
- Generate new leads through online channels.
- Increase conversion rate by 2%.
- Upsell 10% of current customers.
Objective: Maintain accurate record-keeping at all times.
Key Results:
- Input all data into the accounting software within 24 hours of receipt.
- Back up all financial records once per week.
- Reconcile all accounts at the end of each month.
Objective: Preserve and improve cash flow.
Key Results:
- Increase accounts receivable collection rate by 5%.
- Decrease accounts payable days by 10%.
- Increase the number of invoices paid online by 20%.
Benefits of OKRs
There are numerous benefits of setting OKR goals for yourself and your organization:
1. Align With the Company Mission
The benefits of setting OKRs are many, but one of the most important is that it helps employees connect and align with the organization’s mission.
Reaching success is much easier when everyone is working towards the same goal. Plus, it gives employees a sense of ownership over the company’s success or failure.
If you’re thinking of implementing OKRs at your organization, keep this in mind—they can be a powerful tool for keeping everyone aligned and focused on the company’s goals.
2. Track and Measure Progress
Every organization is different, but there’s one thing that all successful businesses have in common: a clear and defined set of goals.
OKR is a powerful tool for setting goals on a quarterly or yearly basis. It keeps everyone on the same page and ensures everyone is working towards the same objectives.
For example, a company looking to increase sales might set an objective of “increasing revenue by 10%,” with key results such as “number of new customers” or “percentage of repeat business.”
Organizations can measure progress by setting clear OKR goals and making course corrections. As a result, OKR is a helpful goal-setting methodology for businesses that want to achieve objectives.
3. Increase Commitment to Goals
Have you ever set a goal but found yourself quickly losing motivation and eventually forgetting all about it? If so, you’re not alone.
Many people need help sticking to their goals, whether personal resolutions or professional objectives. Luckily, setting OKR goals can increase your chances of success.
These goals are more likely to capture your attention and commitment. After all, a vast part of OKRs is setting periodic check-ins and reviewing your progress. This ensures you stay on track and meet your desired results.
Final Thoughts
The OKR framework helps organizations achieve greater engagement and purpose among employees by efficiently aligning company goals with key results and initiatives.
Naturally, individuals may also choose to set aspirational OKR goals to meet their objectives. By doing so, they increase the likelihood of achieving their desired outcome.
While you might not accomplish 100% of your objectives, ensure you do your absolute best. Even a 70% achievement rate is no easy feat, and you should reward yourself for your hard work and dedication.
