You are probably familiar with the terms Objectives and Key Results. The terms widely used in many organizations and recognized as an industry benchmark technique. There are variations of the benchmark where objectives are called outcomes or outputs. Similarly, a key result can be called a metric or performance indicator specifically; a method of measuring something, or the results obtained. The actual variation or term used is less important, but for the purpose of our Drive for Results discipline we reference objectives and key results as the core functions of what you want to accomplish including how and what you accomplished.
Objectives: What You Want to Accomplish
- Objectives should be aligned with your organizational goals
- Objectives can have both aspirational (stretch targets) and realistic business outcomes
- Objectives can be enabling (make operational or executable) and assigned to teams in your direct control or areas of influence
- Objectives can be organizationally aligned and indirectly controlled or influenced (i.e., aggregated)
Helpful tip
Limit your OKR’s to 1-3 key objectives. Too many OKR’s can dilute focus and potentially create situations where teams disengage in the process. Roll-up tasks to meet an objective and focus on the critical workflow processes around these tasks.
Use aspiration to drive behavior. The higher your aspiration the higher on average you will perform.
Key Results: How and What You Accomplished
- Key Results should be measurable using reliable and validated data
- Key Results should be limited to what matters most
- Key Results should be accurate and well understood
- Key Results should be timely (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual and aligned with your operating cycles)
- Key Results should influence execution and or compel an action
- Key Results should have regular check-ins with positive, corrective and guidance feedback to identify solutions to problems
Contact Mal and Craig to help establish drive for results in your organization, including high performance coaching across your managers and teams: [email protected] or 617-7749513
