One of the major challenges while adopting any management framework is to figure out how to get started. Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), the agile goal setting framework is not an exception to this rule.

1. The Ultimate Guide For Beginners To
Write Effective OKRs

2. Objectives and Key Results - OKRs:
One of the major challenges while adopting any management framework is to
figure out how to get started.
Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), the agile goal setting framework is not an
exception to this rule.
We have already written a few articles around best practices in OKRs (listed at
the end of this post), in this one we will provide a checklist. It can be used as a
quick reference to write effective Objectives as well as Key Results.

3. Why should you care?
● A common question that pops up in everyone’s mind – does it really
matter how the OKRs are written? After all, isn’t OKRs a goal management
approach just like any other goal setting methodology?
● The answer lies in the fact that OKRs are not just goals for individuals but
they are connections between the strategy & execution.
● There are two major components of the OKR designing process. One
focuses on how the objectives should be written & the other one
concentrates on key results.

4. Writing an Objective:
● Objectives are the qualitative goals. They are usually broad in their
outlook & inspiring in nature.
● First & foremost, the objective should help in achieving the company
goals & should be aligned with the corporate strategy.
● Use the five ‘why’ analysis to figure out if the 3-5 objectives that are being
chosen are really the critical ones.

5. Writing an Objective:
In a nutshell, you are spot on if you can answer following questions
affirmatively with respect to the objective.
● Is the objective broad in outlook?
● Is the objective inspiring?
● Does the objective help in achieving the company goals?
● Does the objective align with corporate strategy?
● Is the objective indispensable?
● Is the objective timeboxed?

6. Writing a Key Result:
● The way key results are defined, is the soul of the entire OKR philosophy.
Key results are essentially measurable indicators of success of the parent
objective.
● Key results, unequivocally tell you how much of the objective is achieved.
If they cannot be objectively measured, they are not KRs. Numbers form
an integral part of the key result.
● Do note that key results are results & not activities/tasks.

7. Writing a Key Result:
Ask these questions to ensure your KRs are being set up the right way.
● Does the Key Result adhere to SMART? (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant,
Time bound)
● Is the KR a result and not just another task/activity?
● Does the KR help in achieving the objective it belongs to?
● Is there a timeline identified for the KR?
● Does the KR belong to either a stretch or an operational goal category?
● Is the KR important enough to appear in the top 5 KRs for the objective?

8. Template & Examples:
“We plan to succeed in ______________________ , as measured by
___________, ____________ and ____________. We plan to achieve this by
_________”
This is a generally acceptable way of phrasing OKRs. You have defined the
OKRs correctly if they can fit the below ‘template’.
1st blank is a placeholder for the objective & rest of the blanks (2-4) are going
to hold related key results. The last blank adds a deadline to the entire OKR
structure.

9. Let us look at a few examples to illustrate this
further.

10. Example 1:
Objective – Increase in employee engagement
Key Results:
1. Decrease attrition rate from 7% to 3%
2. Increase eNPS from 78% to 90%
3. At least 3 engagement activities are executed within each department.

11. Example 2:
Objective – Raise funds to fuel our growth in APAC
Key Results:
1. 4 growth centres with maximum anticipated ROI are identified
2. Pitch to at least 25 institutional investors
3. A non-binding term sheet is finalised

12. Additional reading for you to get started on OKRs:
● How to set company objectives?
● How to set team OKRs?
● Avoid these OKR mistakes
● Reasons behind OKR failure