OKRs (Objectives & Key Results)

Overview

The OKRs plugin helps you track Objectives and Key Results - a goal-setting framework used by companies like Google and Intel to align teams around measurable outcomes.

In Exponential, OKRs integrate with your existing Goals, using them as Objectives. You then define measurable Key Results for each Objective to track progress throughout a period.

Key Concepts

Objectives

Objectives are your existing Goals in Exponential. They represent what you want to achieve - ambitious, qualitative statements that inspire and direct your work.

Examples:

• Launch a successful product
• Build a world-class engineering team
• Improve customer satisfaction

Key Results

Key Results are specific, measurable outcomes that indicate whether you've achieved your Objective. Each Objective can have multiple Key Results.

Examples:

• Acquire 1,000 new users (count)
• Achieve 95% customer satisfaction score (percentage)
• Reduce average response time to under 2 hours (time)

Getting Started

Enabling the OKR Plugin

1. Go to Settings > Plugins in your workspace
2. Ensure the OKRs plugin is enabled
3. Click OKRs in the sidebar to access the dashboard

Creating Your First Key Result

1. Navigate to the OKRs page from the sidebar
2. Select a period (e.g., Q1 2025)
3. Click Add Key Result
4. Fill in the details:
   • Title: What you're measuring
   • Objective: Link to an existing Goal
   • Target Value: Your goal number
   • Unit: How you measure it (percent, count, currency, hours, custom)
5. Click Create to save

Period-Based Tracking

OKRs are organized by time periods to help you stay focused:

Switching Periods

Use the period dropdown at the top of the OKR dashboard to filter by:

• Current quarter
• Upcoming quarters
• Half-year periods
• Full year view

Progress Tracking

Updating Progress

1. Find the Key Result you want to update
2. Click on the progress bar or edit button
3. Enter the new current value
4. The system automatically calculates the percentage

Progress Calculation

Progress is calculated as:

Progress % = ((Current Value - Start Value) / (Target Value - Start Value)) * 100

For example, if your target is 100 users and you currently have 45:

• Progress = (45 - 0) / (100 - 0) * 100 = 45%

Status Indicators

Key Results are automatically assigned a status based on progress:

Unit Types

Choose the right unit type for your Key Result:

For custom units, you can specify a label like "$", "users", "features", etc.

Dashboard Widget

When the OKR plugin is enabled, a progress widget appears on your main dashboard showing:

• Overall progress across all active Key Results
• Status breakdown (On Track, At Risk, Off Track, Achieved)
• Quick link to the full OKR dashboard

Quick Metrics

The OKR dashboard displays key metrics at a glance:

Creating Objectives

If you need to create a new Objective (Goal) while working on OKRs:

1. Click Create New Goal from the OKR dashboard
2. Fill in the goal details
3. The goal becomes available as an Objective for Key Results

Best Practices

Writing Good Objectives

• Make them inspirational and ambitious
• Focus on outcomes, not outputs
• Limit to 3-5 Objectives per period

Writing Good Key Results

• Make them specific and measurable
• Set challenging but achievable targets
• Include 2-5 Key Results per Objective

Regular Check-ins

• Update Key Results weekly
• Review status and adjust plans as needed
• Celebrate progress and learn from setbacks

Integration with Goals

The OKR plugin enhances your existing Goals system:

• Goals serve as your Objectives
• Key Results provide measurable milestones
• Progress on Key Results shows Goal completion
• Life Domains help categorize Objectives

Next Steps

• Learn about Goals & Outcomes
• Return to Plugins overview