Last updated 1 June 2022 ·
OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results, a way to measure an employee’s performance against predetermined business objectives. By setting OKRs, you can stay focused on the big picture and ensure that every decision you make helps achieve your goals. OKR training helps employees learn how to track their metrics to remain focused on their objectives and improve their short-term results.
Why is it essential to track OKRs?
Tracking OKR progress allows employees to see how far they have come and how the work impacts overall business performance. Many successful professionals have found that using OKRs is key to their career development as they provide visibility and transparency of progress and performance.
What key metrics should you use to track OKRs?
Goal setting can help you decide which metrics are most important to track. What factors are most influential in achieving the goals you set? The fundamental nature of OKRs means that whilst the objectives may be qualitative and slightly more top-level, the key results must be SMART specific, measurable, achievable (with stretch), realistic and timely. Each key result should include a number and a specified timeframe for completion. Therefore, the metrics to track would be those detailed in the key result and whether they are on time for completion or not.
What’s the best way to track OKRs?
The best way to track OKRs is continuous, as part of your daily routine and straight after each piece of work has been carried out. This helps employees and managers alike see the live, real-time progress being made towards each objective, key result or milestone more or less as it happens.
Some businesses use spreadsheets, word docs, simple note-taking apps etc, to track OKRs, which can work fine for some, as long as you keep up with which version you updated/shared. Using OKR software removes any confusion around the latest version and instantly communicates in real-time all progress you log to key stakeholders within the business.
If you are using OKR software, ensure you open the app every morning, right after you open your email inbox and keep it open in the background to make any updates as you work through the day quickly.
What are the most popular tools for tracking OKRs?
Google Spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel are two of the most popular tools to manage OKRs. If you are looking for something more comprehensive than the more traditional tools, we compiled a list of six of the best OKR tools for practical goal setting, which is worth checking out.
If you would like further information on how to track OKRs in your business, please get in touch by emailing hello@reclaro.com.
