Setting OKRs and Running the OKR Cycle
OKR (Objectives and Key Results) is a goal-management framework pairing ambitious objectives with measurable key results.
【What is OKR?】
· O (Objective): "What do we want to achieve?" — qualitative, ambitious, inspiring.
· KR (Key Results): "How do we know we've achieved it?" — quantitative, measurable, 3–5 per objective.
【Writing effective Objectives】
✗ "Increase sales" (vague)
✓ "Bring a product customers love to market" (directional and motivating)
【Making Key Results measurable】
· KRs must always be quantifiable (%, count, score, etc.)
· 70–80% completion typically means "on track" (100% usually means the goal was too easy)
【Quarterly cycle】
- 1.Goal setting (before Q start) → 2. Monthly check-ins → 3. End-of-quarter review → 4. Carry learning into next Q
【OKR vs. MBO】
MBO: goals expected to be fully achieved, often tied directly to reviews and bonuses
OKR: ambitious goals not expected to hit 100%, recommended to keep separate from compensation
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