Creating perpetual progress

While OKRs can be used to create one-time initiatives, they can have a bigger impact by being used to alter processes inside the company. Take for example the following OKR:

• O - Improve the reputation of Acme
  • KR - 5 tech conferences have been attended by September 30th

This is a good start, although it focuses on changes that only impact this quarter, a better approach would be to also include internal long-lasting initiatives that encourage employees to attend these events for the foreseeable future.

• O - Improve the reputation of Acme
  • KR - A program to encourage attendance at tech conferences has been put in place by July 15th.
  • KR - 5 tech conferences have been attended by September 30th

Focusing on one-off events such as “5 tech conferences have been attended by employees by September 30th” can create short-term changes but does not create lasting changes. Having a KR that creates lasting changes and another one that measures the impact of the long-term KR makes sure the company is being built into a stronger system instead of creating a series of superficial changes.

See also Elements of OKRs to learn the basics of writing OKRs.