OKRs for All

CHAPTER 23A Step‐by‐Step Guide to Getting Started with OKRs

Now that I've broken down the keys to success for OKRs and by each major role in the OKR process, I want to take you through a step‐by‐step process for getting started with OKRs in your organization.

Step 1: Getting Started with the OKR Maturity Model

Use the OKR maturity model I referenced earlier to determine where your program stands today (or doesn’t stand) and the potential for growth that can be yours with the right focus.

Let me break down the OKR maturity model a bit more granularly for you.

Stage 1 is the beginning of your organization's OKR journey. If your organization is in this stage, you're not actively using the OKR methodology today. You may have an existing task management and/or goal‐setting system in place at either the organization‐wide or team level, but no structured, organization‐wide process that's working for everybody.

You may have read a blog post on OKRs and are familiar with the OKR concept, but have little to no experience implementing the framework. You define goals based on a planning cycle of a year or longer. You may struggle with departments sharing goals, progress, and results with one another with a defined cadence. Employees cannot track how their work contributes to specific goals at the department or organization‐wide levels.

Stage 2 is the piloting stage. In this stage, you ...