OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are the compass guiding you towards your destination, and the template is the map ensuring you navigate the journey effectively. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials of OKRs, the power of OKR templates, and provide insights to help you choose the right template for your needs. Whether you're a seasoned OKR practitioner or just starting out, this article will equip you with the knowledge and resources to leverage OKRs and templates to achieve remarkable results.
What is OKR?
At its core, the OKR framework is a goal-setting methodology designed to help individuals, teams, and entire organizations define measurable goals and track their outcomes. Think of it as a compass guiding your ship – the Objectives represent where you want to go (the destination), and the Key Results are the markers that tell you how far you've progressed along the way (the coordinates).
To put it in a more formal context:
Objective: A qualitative, aspirational statement that describes what you want to achieve. It should be challenging, inspiring, and easily understood by everyone involved. A good objective answers the question, "Where do we want to go?". An example could be, "Become the market leader in customer satisfaction."
Key results: Quantitative, measurable metrics that define how you'll know you've achieved your objective. They should be specific, time-bound, and ambitious, yet realistic. Key Results answer the question, "How will we know we're getting there?". For the "Customer Satisfaction" objective, Key Results could include "Increase Net Promoter Score (NPS) from 60 to 75" and "Reduce customer support ticket resolution time by 20%."
Explore more 👉
Effective OKR Examples: Sales, Marketing, Operations, HR | Lark
OKRs in context: Differentiating from other goal-setting methodologies
You might be thinking, "OKRs sound a lot like other goal-setting approaches." And you're right, there are similarities. But OKRs have some distinct characteristics that set them apart. Let's briefly compare them to a few other popular methods:
SMART goals: SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals are a widely used framework. While both OKRs and SMART goals emphasize measurability, OKRs tend to be more aspirational and less focused on strict achievability. OKRs encourage "moonshot" thinking, pushing teams beyond their comfort zones.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): KPIs are metrics used to track the performance of existing processes and operations. They're often used to maintain the status quo and identify areas for incremental improvement. OKRs, on the other hand, are forward-looking and focused on driving significant change and achieving ambitious goals. Think of KPIs as monitoring the health of your engine, while OKRs are charting a new course.
Management by Objectives (MBO): MBO is a management approach where managers and employees jointly identify goals, actions and measurements. While MBO shares some common ground with OKRs in terms of alignment and goal setting, OKRs generally promote more transparency and collaboration across the organization.
Explore more 👉
OKR vs. SMART goals: What's the difference? | Lark
OKRs vs KPIs: Understanding the Key Differences | Lark
The critical difference lies in ambition and agility. OKRs are designed to be more dynamic, allowing for adjustments and pivots as the environment changes. They are not just about maintaining the status quo but about driving significant progress and innovation.
Why do you need an OKR template?
Now, you might be thinking, "I understand the power of OKRs, but why do I need a template? Can't I just write down my objectives and key results?" The answer is yes, you can. But just like you can build a house without blueprints, the end result is unlikely to be as efficient, structurally sound, or aesthetically pleasing.
An OKR template provides a structured framework that streamlines the entire goal-setting process. It ensures consistency, clarity, and alignment across the organization. Here's why it's so important:
Standardization for clarity: Imagine each team in your organization defining OKRs in their own unique way, using different formats and metrics. Chaos would quickly ensue!
Focus and prioritization: A good template forces you to clearly articulate your objectives and define measurable key results. This process helps you prioritize what truly matters and avoid getting bogged down in less important tasks..
Time savings and efficiency: Starting from scratch every quarter can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. A template provides a pre-designed structure that you can quickly adapt to your specific needs.
Improved alignment: A well-designed template can help you ensure that your individual and team OKRs are aligned with the overall organizational objectives.
Enhanced tracking and monitoring: A template provides a clear and concise way to track progress and monitor performance against your key results. You can easily see which objectives are on target, which are lagging behind, and which require immediate attention.
Facilitates collaboration: A shared template, especially one used within a collaborative platform, makes it easier for teams to work together on OKRs. Everyone has access to the same information, promoting transparency and open communication.
A curated list of 10+ free OKR templates for you
There's a wide variety of templates available, each designed to address specific organizational structures, team dynamics, and industry requirements. Here's a look at some common categories and best free OKR templates!
Basic spreadsheet templates
Document templates
Team-specific templates
Project-specific templates
Company-wide templates
Software-integrated templates
Remember, the best template for your organization will depend on your specific needs, team structure, and the nature of your objectives.
Basic spreadsheet templates
These are the simplest type of template, typically created in programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. They usually include columns for Objectives, Key Results, owners, target values, and current progress.
Lark Sheets: Team Weekly Report (OKR)
This template helps teams effectively track and report their progress toward Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) on a weekly basis.
Features
Customizable reporting fields to highlight achievements, challenges, and action items.
Structured format for clear insights into team performance and status updates.
Easy collaboration options to facilitate sharing and input from team members.
Advantages
Enhances team communication and alignment with objectives, promoting transparency.
Fosters accountability as teams reflect on progress and identify areas for improvement.
Supports a culture of continuous reflection, ensuring ongoing development and goal attainment.
Try this template👉 Team Weekly Report (OKR) Template
Document templates
Similar to spreadsheet templates, document templates provide a basic structure for defining Objectives and Key Results. However, they are less well-suited for tracking progress and generating reports. These can be useful for drafting OKRs collaboratively before entering them into a more structured system.
Lark Docs: OKR Mind Map Development
This template is designed to help teams track their progress on OKRs through weekly reporting.
Features
Structured layout for reporting key updates, achievements, and challenges related to OKRs.
Sections for setting short-term objectives and evaluating progress over the week.
Easy-to-use format that facilitates quick input and collaboration among team members.
Advantages
Enhances communication and alignment within teams by providing a clear view of progress.
Fosters accountability as team members report on their contributions to objectives.
Supports reflective practice, enabling teams to learn from weekly outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly.
Try this template👉 OKR Mind Map Development Template
Canva: OKR Professional Doc in Black Grey Gradient Style
This template supports the creation and documentation of OKRs in an organized manner.
Features
Stylish design in grey, black, and white that offers a modern and professional look.
Sections for clearly defining objectives and corresponding key results to track progress.
User-friendly format that allows for easy customization and editing.
Advantages
Enhances clarity and focus when setting and following through on goals within teams or organizations.
Promotes professionalism and visual appeal, making presentations and reports more engaging.
Facilitates better communication of objectives and results, fostering alignment and accountability among team members.
Download now👉 OKR Professional Doc
Team-specific templates
These templates are tailored to the specific needs of individual teams, such as marketing, sales, engineering, or product development. They may include pre-defined OKRs that are relevant to the team's functions. For example, a marketing team template might include objectives related to increasing brand awareness or generating leads, while an engineering team template might focus on improving product stability or reducing technical debt.
Google Sheets: OKR Tracker (via Medium)
This template from Medium offers a straightforward approach to managing OKRs. Its main features include clearly defined sections for performance tracking, allowing users to visualize their progress at a glance.
Features
Defined sections for Objectives and Key Results, enhancing organization.
Dropdown menus for status updates and color-coded indicators for quick assessment.
Performance tracking visuals to monitor progress effectively.
Advantages
Supports collaboration through real-time updates accessible to all team members, promoting transparency.
Enhances accountability by allowing users to document updates and reflections.
Streamlines the goal-tracking process, helping organizations maintain focus and drive performance improvements.
Download now👉 OKR Tracker - Template
Google Sheets: Support OKR-Tracking Template (via Birdie)
This template from Birdie enables teams to efficiently track and manage their OKRs.
Features
User-friendly interface for easy goal-setting and organization.
Dashboard view to visualize progress at a glance.
Automated calculations for tracking percentage completion, simplifying updates.
Advantages
Promotes collaboration by allowing multiple users to update statuses in real-time, enhancing communication.
Facilitates clear visibility into team performance, supporting strategic alignment.
Strengthens accountability and focus on results, driving successful organizational outcomes.
Download now👉 Support OKR - Tracking Template by Birdie
Google Sheets: OKR tracking template (via Mooncamp)
This template from Mooncamp is an intuitive tool for managing OKRs. It features a customizable dashboard for visualizing progress, multiple tabs for tracking team and individual OKRs, and prompts for effective goal-setting.
Features
Sections for defining Objectives, Key Results, and responsible team members.
Progress percentage tracking and visual indicators for goal status.
Space for updates and reflections, facilitating ongoing evaluation.
Advantages
Enhances collaboration with real-time updates accessible to all team members.
Provides clear visibility into team performance, fostering accountability.
Streamlines the OKR process, ensuring teams remain focused on their strategic goals.
Download now👉 Mooncamp OKR Tracking Template
Project-specific templates
These templates are designed for tracking progress on specific projects or initiatives. They typically include sections for defining project goals, milestones, and deliverables, as well as aligning them with broader organizational objectives.
Lark Base: OKR Task Subdivision and Progress Control
This template is designed to streamline the management of OKRs by enabling users to break down tasks into manageable sub-tasks.
Features
Multiple view options, including Kanban and list views, to visualize progress effectively.
Clearly defined sections for prioritizing tasks and tracking their status.
Real-time updates to facilitate teamwork and communication.
Advantages
Enhances collaboration and accountability among team members through transparent task management.
Supports efficient goal alignment by providing a structured approach to achieving OKRs.
Ideal for organizations aiming to improve performance and maintain clarity in their objectives.
Try this template👉 OKR Task Subdivision and Progress Control Template
Company-wide templates
These templates are used to define Objectives and Key Results at the organizational level. They provide a high-level overview of the company's strategic priorities and ensure that all teams are aligned towards the same goals.
Excel: OKR Reporting Template (via Smartsheet)
This template offers a visual overview of progress toward OKRs in a structured format.
Features
Dashboard display showcasing the current status of objectives and key results within a specific time frame.
Easy-to-read visualizations that highlight progress and performance metrics.
Advantages
Encourages a disciplined approach to goal setting and achievement across individual, team, and company levels.
Facilitates quick identification of areas needing attention, ensuring alignment and focus on objectives.
Enhances transparency and accountability among team members, promoting effective communication and collaboration.
Download now👉 OKR Reporting Template
Software-integrated templates
These are templates that are integrated directly into project management software or OKR management platforms. These offer the most advanced features, such as automated progress tracking, reporting, and collaboration tools. They provide a centralized hub for managing OKRs and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
Lark Base: Personal OKR Execution and Review
This template is designed to help individuals effectively set, track, and evaluate your personal OKRs.
Features
Intuitive interface for defining and organizing personal goals.
Progress tracking system to monitor advancements toward each goal.
Structured review process to assess achievements and identify challenges.
Advantages
Promotes self-reflection and accountability, fostering ongoing personal development.
Enables easy adjustments to goals based on performance feedback, enhancing adaptability.
Empowers users to maintain focus on their objectives, making it a valuable tool for boosting personal growth and overall productivity.
Try this template👉 Personal OKR Execution and Review Template
Notion: OKR templates collections
This collection of OKR tracker templates on Notion offers various tools for effective goal-setting and tracking of OKRs.
Features
Multiple customizable templates catering to different team sizes and needs for tracking OKRs.
User-friendly layouts that facilitate easy input, monitoring, and updating of goals and results.
Integration with Notion’s tools, allowing for seamless organization and access to related project management resources.
Advantages
Enhances team alignment and focus by providing clear visibility into progress and priorities.
Encourages collaboration through easy sharing and editing capabilities within teams.
Supports agility in goal management, enabling teams to adapt quickly to changing priorities and insights.
Discover now👉 OKR Tracker
Try Lark's comprehensive OKR management solution
After exploring various OKR templates, let's face a common truth: managing OKRs using standalone templates, especially within a growing organization, can quickly become unwieldy. Spreadsheets, while familiar, often lead to version control issues, communication silos, and a general lack of visibility into progress.
That's where an all-in-one platform like Lark steps in to truly shine. These platforms centralize the entire OKR process, from initial creation and alignment to tracking progress and providing feedback.
Lark takes the all-in-one concept a step further by integrating OKR management with other essential workplace tools, such as messaging, video conferencing, and document collaboration. This creates a truly unified workspace where you can seamlessly manage your OKRs, communicate with your team, and collaborate on projects all in one place. The advantages are immense:
Integrated communication: Discuss OKRs directly within the platform, eliminating the need to switch between different communication channels.
Real-time collaboration: Collaborate on documents and projects related to your OKRs in real-time, fostering a more efficient and productive workflow.
Data-driven insights: Track progress and analyze performance with built-in reporting and analytics tools.
Customizable workflows: Tailor the platform to your specific needs with customizable workflows and integrations.
Investing in an all-in-one platform like Lark can significantly streamline your OKR process, improve team alignment, and ultimately, help you achieve your goals more effectively. It transforms OKRs from a static document into a dynamic and collaborative process that drives results.
Conlusion
Choosing the right OKR template is a critical first step in unlocking the power of this goal-setting framework. Remember to adapt the template to your unique context and encourage continuous improvement as you refine your OKR process.
However, simply having a template isn't enough. To truly maximize the benefits of OKRs, consider leveraging an all-in-one platform like Lark to centralize your OKR management, enhance collaboration, and track progress in real-time. With the right template and the right tools, you can empower your teams to achieve their full potential and drive meaningful results for your organization!
Table of Contents
