OKRs: A Framework for Strategic Alignment and Execution

What are OKRs?

OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results, are a goal-setting framework that helps organizations align and track their strategic objectives. OKRs were first introduced by Google and have since become a popular management tool in many industries.

OKRs consist of two components: an objective, which is a clear and ambitious goal, and key results, which are measurable indicators of progress towards the objective. One of the main benefits of OKRs is that they enable effective strategy execution, which is often a challenge for many organizations. According to some studies, only about 10% of the strategies formulated by companies and organizations are actually implemented. OKRs can help overcome this gap by creating a shared vision, fostering collaboration, and providing feedback.

Who Can Benefit from OKRs?

OKRs are useful for anyone who cares about the organization’s performance and alignment with its goals and strategies. This includes senior leaders, middle and operational managers, and the organization’s specialists. OKRs can help them achieve better results and collaboration.

How OKR and Strategy Are Related

OKR is a framework that helps organizations execute their strategy effectively. However, OKR is not a substitute for strategy. Organizations need to define their strategy first and then use OKR to align and track their strategic objectives. OKR and strategy are complementary, not interchangeable.

What We Offer as an OKR Service Provider

  1. We provide OKR training for the organization’s managers and specialists at different levels.
  2. We also help the organization formulate an OKR implementation plan and identify the target groups.
  3. We assist the organization in holding meetings to define strategic OKRs with the participation of company leaders.
  4. We facilitate the meetings to establish OKRs for the units that are selected as the target group.

OKR Implementation

Our client in this project was an IT company that produced data-based solutions including BI reports and dashboards. The mission we were given was to set up OKRs across the organization. Due to the fact that there were written and communicated strategies in this organization, the launch of OKR proceeded in a principled manner.

One of the latest trends in the business world is the use of OKR (Objectives and Key Results) to manage projects and measure progress. However, many companies fail to align their OKR with their overall strategy, or to communicate it effectively to their employees. This reduces the chances of achieving their desired outcomes, as OKR is only useful when it reflects and supports the strategic vision of the organization.

We delivered the following outcomes:

  • OKR training for managers and specialists across the organization
  • OKR implementation plan development and target group identification
  • Facilitation of strategic OKR setting meetings with company leaders
  • Coordination of OKR setting meetings with the selected organizational units
  • Periodic OKR evaluation and OKR setting for the next cycle Our activity resulted in four units in the company’s value chain adopting this method and closing several pending projects with this method.

It is important to remember that OKR is defined with the collaboration and input of subgroups and experts. If a manager sets OKR and assigns it to the subgroup unit for execution, it will not yield a positive outcome.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Contact us today and get a free consultation.