Tips for OKR for practice: getting the most out of it

Today’s business environment is significantly shaped by digitalisation and globalisation. Digitalisation and globalisation can mean many advantages for individuals and companies, but at the same time they are also associated with risks. In digital and global markets, for example, the competitive situation is extremely dynamic. Therefore there is a lot of competition. To survive in this competition, companies must act flexibly and innovatively. In this context, working methods and management systems such as OKR come into play.

Before we as an Agile Certification Institute give you concrete tips for OKR usage in practice, we will briefly review the most important basics of the OKR system. If you are not familiar with OKR so far, this will ensure that you understand our tips for OKR.

Tips for OKR at a glance: The most important things

As mentioned earlier, OKR is a management technique. OKR is an acronym and stands for “Objectives and Key Results” and is a popular content of in-company training. A general tip for OKR is that appropriate knowledge is demonstrated by means of suitable and recognised certificates. OKR is used in many companies in all sectors. Usually, these companies are of a certain size, as OKR also includes corporate strategies and visions.

A useful tip for OKR understanding is to use the acronym as a thought guide:

• For example, the objective has a qualitative component and is defined by the question “Where do I want to go/What do I want to achieve?”
• Certain key results are also assigned to an objective. These are usually quantitative goals and key figures that enable the measurement of goal achievement. A question for defining the key results could be: “How can I achieve the goal and how can the degree of goal achievement be measured?

Now, a special feature of OKR is that Objectives and Key Results are reformulated at regular intervals. This formulation is first done at the first management level and is then elaborated in the framework of a top-down strategy at the divisional and departmental level. Target achievement and forecasts are usually made available to all staff. If you are planning to use OKR in your company, take the tip for OKR to heart that you ensure visibility from the very beginning. Expert tip for OKR: Data and facts should be highly visible. The intranet or regular mailings are ideal for this!

Useful tips for OKR at a glance

OKR as a method is not without controversy and requires tact in its application. Useful knowledge is imparted in the context of training courses, which in the best case are practice oriented. An important tip for OKR is not to see OKR as a rigid set of rules, but rather a more flexible framework. A useful tip for OKR is also not to forget the possible optimisation points:

• OKR should make goal-setting processes transparent and simple, and clearly define expectations for teams, staff and departments.
• OKR metrics should be made readily available through internal communication
• Goals and results are linked to a general corporate strategy or value system and defined on that basis

Another tip for OKR is that consistent application of this method also ensures that all employees have a good level of knowledge. For example, OKR seminars can make it easier for new employees to get started. If new knowledge can subsequently be proven with an exam or a certificate examination, this often makes further training offers much more attractive.

Tips for OKR: The introduction

Since OKR is used in many international companies, at least the acronym is familiar to many. Nevertheless, there are some myths and half-truths surrounding OKR that need to be addressed appropriately. In this context, for the application and introduction of OKR we can only refer again to the tip that the level of knowledge and further training opportunities promote acceptance and counter fears.

Another important tip for OKR is to pay special attention to the qualifications of OKR coach. Only when an OKR coach has sufficient capacity to devote himself to his tasks is smooth application possible. It should also be remembered that the introduction of a new way of working or management technique generally requires more time in the initial phase – this is no different with OKR. Last tip for OKR: OKR should not be touted as a control tool, but as a framework for managing a business.

If you have any questions about OKR or need more tips for OKR, do not hesitate to contact us.