Many organizations are looking to implement OKR to help them set goals at all levels of the organization and track the progress of different departments in achieving their goals. Although OKR is a powerful goal-setting tool, implementing it can be very challenging particularly for the first time. Here are some common OKRs mistakes you should avoid:
Common mistakes while setting objectives:
1- Simple and non-challenging objectives
In an OKR system, it is expected to achieve 70% to 80% of an Objective in a specific period. However, some businesses may set goals that are 100% achievable. That means they have set simple and non-challenging goals for themselves, and as you know, in OKRs objectives must be ambitious and challenging.
2- Unattainable and unrealistic objectives
Objectives should not be unrealistic and too challenging to achieve. When defining objectives, you should try to maintain balance. Define goals that are neither too simple nor too difficult.
3- Too many objectives
Setting too many objectives during a period makes your team distracted from main priorities and causes lack of focus. When defining objectives, you need to consider your top priorities.
Common mistakes while setting key results:
4- Unmeasurable and vague key results
Key results are supposed to measure the achievement of objectives, so they must be measurable and clear.
5- Too many key results
Just like Objectives, there should not be too many Key results. We suggest you define 2 to 3 Key results per objective.
Three other mistakes:
6- Confusing key results with tasks
This is one of the most common mistakes that people made while setting OKRs. Key results are not tasks; they are successful outcomes and results of specific objectives. On the other hand, tasks are activities and things that have to be done as a job.
7- Non-alignment of individual OKRs with the organization’s strategy
Remember that all of the individual and team OKRs should be synchronized with the organization’s strategy and values.
8- Forgetting about weekly check-ins
After setting the OKRs, you should constantly track goals and check their progress. We suggest you dedicate one day per week to reviewing OKRs.