Introduction
In this article, we explore how to write a measurable Key Result that aligns with a parent OKR Objective. While an OKR Objective is aspirational and describes the business value to be achieved, a Key Result is quantitative, metric-driven, and measures success.
A well-defined Key Result should specify both the starting point and the target outcome, ensuring clear progress tracking.
Format of a Key Result
A Key Result follows this structure:
<Verb> + <What You Are Measuring>
Common verbs used in Key Results:
- Increase from X to Y
- Decrease from X to Y
Examples:
Increase sales conversion rate from 20% to 40%
Decrease call abort ratio from 15% to 10%
What if No Baseline Exists?
If you lack a starting point, your target state becomes the baseline. In such cases, use:
Achieve X
Example:
Achieve 95% customer satisfaction score
Key Results Must Be SMART
A well-defined Key Result follows the SMART framework:
- S – Specific
- M – Measurable
- A – Achievable
- R – Realistic
- T – Time-bound
Types of Key Results
1. Metric-Based Key Results
These are data-driven and measure improvement using specific numbers.
Increase website traffic from 50K to 80K visitors
Reduce customer churn rate from 5% to 3%
2. Milestone-Based Key Results
These track the completion of a deliverable rather than numerical improvement.
Complete the installation of 20 servers by Nov 15, 2022
However, milestone-based Key Results should not dominate the OKR, as they track tasks rather than impact. To be effective, they should be paired with metric-driven Key Results.
Example:
Poor Key Result: Launch new website
Better Key Result: Launch new website and increase user engagement from 5% to 10%
Key Results & OKR Cycles
- A Key Result should last one OKR cycle (usually a quarter).
- An Objective may last multiple OKR cycles, up to one year.
Breaking Key Results into smaller, achievable milestones ensures steady progress, motivation, and measurable wins.
What if a Key Result Isn’t Completed?
If a Key Result cannot be fully completed within one OKR cycle:
- Mark the completion percentage achieved.
- Create a new Key Result for the next cycle, if necessary.
Conclusion
To ensure effective OKRs:
1. A Key Result is the measurable child of an Objective.
2. Objectives are aspirational, while Key Results are metric-driven.
3. Use Increase/Decrease from X to Y for measurable outcomes.
4. Use Achieve X if no baseline exists.
5. Key Results should be time-bound to one OKR cycle.
How Target Align Helps Startups with Agile OKRs
Target Align is a powerful platform designed to simplify OKR implementation and Agile execution for startups. With an intuitive interface and advanced tracking capabilities, Target Align helps startups:
- Set clear, measurable OKRs aligned with business strategy.
- Integrate OKRs with Agile workflows, ensuring teams stay focused.
- Enhance transparency with real-time tracking and reports.
- Encourage accountability through structured check-ins and peer feedback.
- Foster alignment between leadership and teams by breaking down top-level objectives into actionable key results.
By using Target Align, startups can eliminate confusion, streamline goal-setting, and drive sustainable growth.
If you’re interested in learning more about OKRs and its implementation, sign up for Target Align’s video course. For more resources, visit www.targetalign.com and check out their OKR 101 material.
