Best Practices for Writing OKRs

1. Align with Strategy

• Ensure OKRs directly support company or team strategic priorities. 
• Use OKRs to focus efforts on what truly matters. 

2. Make Objectives Inspiring

• Write Objectives as clear, ambitious statements of intent. 
• Keep them qualitative and motivational (e.g., “Delight our customers with faster support”). 

3. Keep Key Results Measurable

• Key Results should be specific, time-bound, and measurable. 
• Use quantifiable outcomes, not tasks or activities (e.g., “Reduce ticket resolution time from 48 to 24 hours”). 

4. Limit the Number of OKRs

• Focus on 3–5 Objectives per level (Company, Team, Individual). 
• Limit to 2–4 Key Results per Objective to maintain clarity and focus. 

5. Use the Right UOM (Unit of Measure)

• Choose appropriate UOMs for each Key Result (e.g., Percentage, KPI, Board, SObject). 
• Consider automation options to streamline progress tracking. 

6. Define Clear Ownership

• Assign owners for each Objective and Key Result. 
• Clearly define who is responsible for updating progress. 

7. Set Stretch, Not Impossible Goals

• OKRs should challenge the team but still be achievable. 
• Avoid sandbagging or overly conservative targets. 

8. Review and Update Regularly

• OKRs should be reviewed weekly or bi-weekly. 
• Encourage owners and contributors to update progress consistently. 

9. Use Baselines and Benchmarks Wisely

• Establish starting points and target values based on historical or industry data. 
• Use baseline or decrease target types where maintaining or reducing values is the goal. 

10. Promote Transparency and Collaboration

• Make OKRs visible across the organization to foster alignment. 
• Encourage cross-functional teams to contribute where relevant.