Which Successful Teams Apply OKRs and How?

OKR Application: Who and How Uses It?

Assessing the outcomes of performance is an important aspect of doing any business. Why? If you set clear goals and develop plans for achieving those, you increase the chances of success a number of times. Still, it is better to do the following tested approaches, OKR is one of them. If you have not heard about this methodology before, it is a good time to start reviewing it. Many successful and popular companies, like Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Mozilla, Samsung, Siemens, Spotify, Uber, and many others already do that. So, what are the core points about that and how to use OKR right?

What Is OKR?

The OKR abbreviation stands for the Objectives and Key Results. This is an effective goal-setting methodology. The essence of this approach is focused on the clear objectives a company wants to pursue and the end results these goals likely will lead to. Another important point of the OKR methodology is in tracking the progress from the goals set to the final outcomes. Measuring such is a good solution to find out whether a company moves in the right direction. It may seem to be complicated only. In fact, it is an easy thing to apply, especially when the story comes to using specialized software. Professionals from JatApp company okr software development develop the samples of such systems for years and, of course, apply those in the course of their operation also.

Tips for Developing Your Workable Plans

If this methodology appears to be too complicated for you at first glance, it is not too complicated as it may appear to be.  There are simple tips on how to use OKR in your business practice:

1. Considering in OKRs the things that will remain

Moving to progress is surely an important aspect, but it is equally important to ensure a steady way with less stress on the way. There are always things that will remain. Consider such while making your new OKRs. This simple advice will prevent you from switching between OKRs.

2. Implementing OKRs in cycles

If this methodology is focused on tracking the progress, it is surely necessary to implement OKS in cycles, like weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. This will enable you to form a big picture and move to your goals gradually.

3. Make your OKRS time-bound

It is equally important to set the goals and ensure the sense that such goals have to be accomplished. You need to have a specific timeframe for each goal on your agenda and ensure such goals are fulfilled correctly. Leave zero space for slacking to prevent broken plans.

4. Make all OKRs available to anyone

OKRs are not secret things. They have to be available to any employee who works in your company. This makes cooperation more comfortable for anyone. Intel OKR examples are even more advanced in this case. In this company, the management not only sets OKRs but also educates a team on such. This ensures that everyone in this team understands OKRs right and can work appropriately to make these goals closer.

5. Arrange pilot testing for some OKRs

Successful OKR companies practice testing to ensure that the goals they have set are workable. It is an easy thing to take a small team and test some OKRS you have defined. This pilot testing will help to confirm that goals are realistic and can be launched for a company entirely. This is especially workable advice for big companies where organization and steadiness are important.

Mistakes to Avoid While Making Your OKR

There are certain warnings for those who use OKRs already and wish to do that in the future. These mistakes are most widespread and can make a company far away from the goals that have been set. Get better indicators preventing these common mistakes:

• Unrealistic expectations

In the case of OKRs, it is better to move slower but confidently. Setting realistic goals that align with your resources and background is the best approach to follow, especially when the story comes to the first cases of the OKR application. But, it is a good idea to add some motivational or challenging goals. This can inspire a team to pursue such further. But, in any case, it should be realistic also. Balance goals you have set in your OKR. Don’t forget that employees are people and they are sensitive to stress and the need to move out of their comfort zone. The less stress they will experience – the better it is for pursuing plans and increasing the speed of progress gradually.

• Don’t skip check-ins

The essence of the OKR methodology is also in tracking the progress on the way to your results. Don’t rely on your feelings only, especially if they tell you that everything is likely okay. Be precise at assessing the intermediary results to confirm you can reach goals set in your OKRs for sure. How to do this? It is a good idea to track such plans monthly and quarterly, for instance.

• Don’t avoid celebrating small victories

OKRs are amazing tools to measure and boost productivity. But, it is important not to set goals and track the performance only. Appreciate the efforts of your employees on the route to such goals, especially if you have revealed that your plans are being fulfilled as you expect them to be. This important aspect of celebrating the intermediary victories is often skipped. But, you should not make this mistake while making your plans. Celebrate small victories to motivate a team and make it closer to the goals you have defined at the start.

Final Words

OKRs are effective in the course of doing business and measuring the results of their performance. It is impossible to imagine a modern business without clear plans and performance tracking. Successful company’s stories prove that. Set clear and realistic plans for your OKRs, track the progress, including thanks to using specialized software, and don’t forget to appreciate intermediary small victories.