The European OKR Guide Everything you need to know to get started with Objectives and Key Results

How to implement them, what you should pay attention to, and how the methodology is being applied in Europe today. WORKPATH

OKRs are a holistic management framework, making your planning and collaboration more efficient by connecting the daily work of your people with company goals and strategy.

Examples of companies working with OKRs in Europe

They are a powerful tool to ingrain a result-oriented, measurable, and innovative way of working into every organization.

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Objectives tell you where to go, Key Results how you will get there.

Ambitious Objectives and clear, measurable Key Results are essential for every successful business.

Key Result Measurable result, indicating

whether you have achieved a goal

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Objective Ambitious goal, usually

of qualitative nature

Example

Objective Send a person to Mars

Key Result 10 successful test launches with the Mars shuttle until December 10, 2020

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OKRs build on established approaches such as Management by Objectives (MBO) and S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

The methodology combines the insights and experiences of 50 years of management in innovative businesses.

Management by Objectives (MBO)Peter Drucker and Andrew Grove

1960s 1980s 1990s Today

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Objectives & Key Results After his time with Intel, John Doerr implements OKRs at Google

OKRs in Europe Innovative enterprises such as Zalando implement OKRs

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Andy Grove Founder of Intel

“A successful MBO system needs only to answer two questions:

Where do I want to go? How will I pace myself to see if I’m getting there?”

From MBO to OKRs

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Advantages of OKRs compared to traditional methods such as Management by Objectives.

Regular feedback and updates

No more silos: connections across the entire organization

Benefits for every employee, not just the management

Independent from compensation and bonuses

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What you can achieve with OKRs

Focus on activities that contribute best to your company’s performance

1Alignment of goals and activities across all teams in the organization

2

Transparency and understanding what teams and individuals are working on

3Measurement and appreciation of individual contributions to team achievements

4

und anerkennen

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Best Practices and Tips for the Implementation

Assign an internal OKR master who moderates the process and is responsible in the long run

Allocate enough time and allow employees to get used to the process, especially when defining the Key Results

Demand prioritization: Maximum 5 OKRs per organizational level and 4-5 Key Results per Objective make sense for a focussed working

1

2 3

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Every Key Result has to be clearly measurable and quantitative, with one or more assigned owners who are responsible

OKRs should be an integral part of your weekly meetings and routines, progress has to be updated as regularly as possible

The buy-in and and support of the entire leadership team are indispensable for the success of goal management with OKRs

4

5 6

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Process and Timeframes

Annual Company Goals

Company Mission, Values, and Vision

Task

Quarterly Company Goals

OKRs connect across all organizational levels

Team Goals

Individual Goals Individual Goals Individual Goals

Team Goals

Task Task

Quarter

Week

Year

OKRs

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Definition of team goals

Review and goal discussions on all levels

Definition of company goals

Definition of personal goals

End of quarter

OKR planning for the next quarter

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OKR process steps

Transparency and Data Security Your organization might want to share the goals of employees to ensure transparency. However, in accordance to privacy & labor laws certain information, such as individual progress, may only be shared on a need-to-know basis.

Motivation and Mentality For many European companies, „stretch goals“ might not be the right choice. Depending on team, phase, and resources, over-ambitious goals can be demotivating.

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Implementing OKRs in Europe

Further Resources and Insights

Work Rules High Output Lazlo Bock Management L Andrew Grove

Rick Klau’s video about OKRs at Google: https://youtu.be/mJB83EZtAjc

Workpath Magazine: www.workpath.com/en/magazine

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Recommendations

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As a German software company, Workpath offers you the safest and most intuitive solution for the management of your goals, OKRs, and related management processes. www.workpath.com @WorkpathHQ

Author Johannes Mueller is the founder and CEO of Workpath. As an expert for goal management, OKRs, and people engagement, he is eager to drive the debate around digital organization design.

@johmmueller linkedin.com/in/johmueller

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If you want to learn more about OKRs, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are looking forward to talking to you.

hello@workpath.com www.workpath.com

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