Learn what makes a good key result to ensure progress is measurable and actionable. Key results must be specific, quantifiable, and time-bound, driving alignment and helping teams evaluate performance with clarity. Good objectives should be action oriented to drive tangible progress.

OKRs consist of two components: the objective, which is a qualitative, motivating statement, and the key results, which are measurable metrics used to track progress toward that objective.

So, what makes a good Key Result? Under each Objective, make sure to define measurable outcomes.

Key results should be quantifiable, achievable, and difficult, but not impossible. They can be based on growth, performance, revenue or engagement.

Often, they are numerical, but they can also show if something is done or undone.

Key results take all that inspirational language and quantify it. You create them by asking a simple question “how would we know if we met our objective?” Key results are considered accomplished when their measurable targets are met within the set timeframe. When creating key results, writing objectives clearly and concisely is important. It’s also essential to write key results in a way that makes them easy to measure and track.

This causes you to define what you mean by “awesome” “kill it” or “own.”

Typically, you have three key results. Goal setting is a fundamental part of the OKR process, ensuring focus and alignment. Metrics can be based on measurable goals that help track progress toward objectives, such as:

  • Growth
  • Engagement
  • Revenue
  • Performance
  • Quality

Key results should be defined as measurable results to ensure clarity and accountability.

Some types of key results usually start with verbs like launch, create, develop, deliver, build, make, implement, define, release, test, prepare and plan. These verbs often represent initiatives or projects that drive progress toward objectives.

These keywords jumpstart your vision for your team, organization or company, and can be used for company OKRs as well as team OKRs.

Most times, your key result is going to be a specific metric and a value to reach. Here are some examples of good key results:

  • Get 50 new online users
  • Increase user retention from 40% to 60%
  • Reduce churn rate by 2%
  • Improve customer satisfaction score by 10%

Brainstorming ideas with your team can help generate effective key results.

Understanding Key Results

Key results are the backbone of the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework, providing a clear way to track progress toward your most important objectives. By defining key results that are specific, measurable, and time bound, teams can focus their efforts on what truly matters and ensure that every action contributes to the desired outcomes. Effective key results act as milestones, giving your team a clear direction and helping you measure progress with real data.

For example, if your overall objective is to become a market leader in your industry, a key result might be to “increase social media followers by 20% in the next quarter.” This measurable goal not only tracks progress but also aligns everyone’s efforts toward the same target. When key results are well-defined, they help the entire team stay focused, make informed decisions, and drive success across the organization. Ultimately, clear key results ensure that every quarter, your team knows exactly what progress looks like and how to achieve it.

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