What is the meaning of OKR?

objectives and key results

Summary. OKRs stand for objectives and key results, a goal-setting methodology that can help your team set and track measurable goals.

While KPIs are business metrics that reflect performance, OKR is a goal-setting method that helps you improve performance and drive change. So KPIs let you know what you need to analyze to determine the basis for your OKRs. Both OKRs and KPIs are measurable and both reflect the team's performance.

Objectives and key results (OKR) is a goal-setting framework that helps organizations define goals — or objectives — and then track the outcome. The framework is designed to help organizations establish far-reaching goals in days instead of months. OKR has been around since the 1970s.

Done perfectly, OKRs help companies align their goals and focus on the big picture. Each team knows what its objectives are and what are the measurable key results that will indicate the objective is being achieved – and the transparency of the process means all the other teams know, too.

Key results should express measurable milestones that describe “how” the objective can be achieved. Cross-check them against these criteria to make sure they are defined correctly: Describe outcomes and not activities.

OKR (Objectives and Key Results) is a goal setting system used by Google and other companies. It is a simple approach to create alignment and engagement around measurable and ambitious goals.

Andy Grove

The OKR methodology was created by Andy Grove at Intel and taught to John Doerr by him.

The birth of OKRs can be traced back to Peter Drucker. He was one of the first managerial thinkers. And in the 1950s he introduced a system called “Management by Objectives” (MBOs). That system called for setting objectives for everyone who works in a company.

Objectives and key results (OKR, alternatively OKRs) is a goal setting framework used by individuals, teams, and organizations to define measurable goals and track their outcomes. The development of OKR is generally attributed to Andrew Grove who introduced the approach to Intel during his tenure there.

OKR has a long history that can be traced back to 1954 when Peter Drucker invented MBO or Management by Objectives. ... Doer introduced OKR to Google's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who then implemented OKR at Google (which still uses it today).

The SMART in SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame.

An Ambassador is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance and management of your OKR program. Their job is to coordinate key events in the OKR cycle like OKR creation and OKR closing, ensuring all those involved dedicate adequate time and resources, contributing to a successful OKR program.

Now that you have a viable list of true OKRs, it's time to prioritize. To get the most out of your OKR program, we recommend limiting yourself to 3-5 objectives, each with its own set of 3-5 key results. When everything feels critical, narrowing down your goals can feel easier said than done.

Overview. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is a useful framework for setting goals and KPIs for both the broader organization and specific teams within it. Building a product roadmap that follows the OKR structure is one way to help your team focus on building things that matter most.