Webinar Key Takeaways

  1. The OKR framework consists of three essential components: Objectives that set direction and inspire, Key Results that show measurable progress, and Initiatives that define specific actions. For maximum effectiveness, teams should limit themselves to three Key Results per Objective to maintain focus.
  2. We explored three types of Key Results: Input metrics that measure effort, Output metrics that track achievements, and Outcome metrics that measure value created. Among these, Outcome-based Key Results best represent the value we aim to achieve. They can be effectively defined using the “Who does what by how much?” formula and focus on measurable changes in customer behavior that create value.
  3. The Circle of Influence model helps distinguish between different types of metrics. While teams can directly control inputs, outcomes fall within their sphere of influence but not control. This distinction is crucial as outcome-based Key Results tend to spark more innovation and creative solutions by focusing on the desired change rather than prescribing specific solutions.
  4. An important insight from the session was the relationship between leading and lagging indicators. While outcomes are typically lagging indicators, input metrics serve as leading indicators with faster feedback loops. What’s particularly interesting is how this relationship can shift based on organizational context – what’s a lagging indicator at one level may be a leading indicator at another.
  5. We examined Amazon’s Weekly Business Review practice, which offers valuable lessons about the importance of controllable input metrics in driving long-term outcomes. Their approach demonstrates the value of establishing clear connections between input metrics and desired outcomes, with regular monitoring to understand cause-effect relationships.
  6. The main takeaway from the session was that outcome-based Key Results capture the value we aim to achieve, while controllable input metrics drive better day-to-day progress. The best approach is to combine both for optimal results.