OKR Forum 2025

The 2025 edition of the OKR Forum, organized by Computer Futures in partnership with OKR mentors, brought together over 180 leaders and experts in strategy execution for a day of rich learning and knowledge sharing. This year's theme of "Elevating Strategic Execution" couldn't have been more timely, as organizations worldwide struggle with the challenge of turning strategy into tangible results.

Key Tracks of the Forum

The forum was structured around three distinct tracks, each addressing crucial aspects of the OKR journey:

• New Implementation: For organizations starting their OKR journey

• Scaling OKRs: For those ready to expand their OKR practice

• Unusual Stories: Showcasing unique approaches and implementations

With 16 sessions featuring speakers from global organizations like Siemens, TBC Bank, Group Rocher, and Worldline, the forum offered practical insights and actionable strategies for organizations at every stage of their OKR journey. The day culminated in the first-ever OKR Awards, celebrating excellence in strategic execution.

A Growing Movement

The diversity of participating organizations – from tech startups to manufacturing giants, from financial institutions to retail leaders – highlighted how OKRs have evolved from a Silicon Valley tool to a universal framework for strategic execution. This year's forum showcased not just the technical aspects of OKR implementation, but the crucial cultural and leadership elements that drive success.

Particularly notable was the increased focus on AI's role in strategic execution and the growing importance of OKR Champions in sustaining successful implementations. These themes reflected the maturing nature of OKR practices and the innovative ways organizations are adapting them to meet their needs.

Track 1: New Implementation

Siemens

Siemens Corporate Communications shared their "Season of Discovery" journey, demonstrating how creativity and careful planning can transform abstract strategy into tangible results. Rather than forcing a top-down implementation, they started with pilot teams who showed enthusiasm for change, using innovative engagement tactics like AI-generated stickers and regular team check-ins to build momentum organically.

Kespro

At Kespro, the focus was on creating meaningful alignment between daily work and strategic goals. Their story revealed how quarterly OKR cycles, supported by clear validation processes, helped teams understand their contribution to broader organizational success. With 95% of employees now understanding how their work impacts company goals, their approach proves that careful implementation pays dividends.

Numatic

Numatic's journey from legacy institution to agile organization provided valuable insights into driving meaningful change. Simon Barry and Aaron McKenna shared how they transformed Numatic’s manufacturing business through OKRs, starting with a successful pilot of 5 teams before expanding. Their innovative use of video content to energize the organization and explain strategy proved particularly effective. By focusing on squad-based OKRs and establishing clear quarterly and executive cycles, they created a structure that balanced long-term vision with short-term execution.

Partena

Partena Professional's implementation in Belgium's largest flat organization showed how OKRs can thrive without traditional hierarchies. Their success came from emphasizing transparency and collaborative goal-setting, demonstrating that organizational structure need not limit OKR effectiveness.

Key Takeaways to Start using OKRs

• Start with enthusiastic pilot teams rather than forcing top-down implementation

• Build momentum through regular check-ins and clear validation processes

• Focus on transparency and collaborative goal-setting regardless of organizational structure

• Invest in creative engagement tactics to maintain enthusiasm

Track 2: Scaling OKRs

Groupe Rocher

Group Rocher's implementation across their $2.4 billion organization provided valuable insights into scaling with purpose. Their network of 12 dedicated OKR champions maintained momentum across diverse business units, while clear separation between OKRs and performance management created a sustainable system driving real results.

Beier Group

BeierGroup demonstrated how OKRs can unite diverse manufacturing companies into a cohesive organization. Dhesan Chetty shared their 18-month journey starting with executive team alignment and expanding through a dedicated champion network. Their integration of OKRs with budget cycles and strategic planning processes, while avoiding direct performance management links, proved crucial for sustainable adoption. The results showed in improved collaboration across companies and stronger strategic alignment across the group.

Trimble Inc

Trimble Inc.'s journey of moving from a stalled implementation to renewed momentum offered practical insights for organizations facing similar challenges. Duncan Hawksbee revealed how they revitalized their OKR program by focusing on department-level alignment, creating a Results Management Office, and building a network of 115 OKR coaches. Their data-driven approach to measuring OKR adoption and effectiveness demonstrated how large organizations can maintain momentum while scaling.

TBC Bank

TBC Bank's integration of OKRs across 12 tribes and 150 squads demonstrated how traditional banking can embrace modern execution methods. Their OKR-focused coaching network supports continuous improvement while maintaining strategic alignment, showing how large organizations can stay agile through structured implementation.

Key Takeaways for Scaling OKRs:

• Build proper infrastructure first - champion networks and support offices enable successful scaling
• Measure what matters - track implementation quality and progress systematically
• Unite through alignment - use OKRs to bridge organizational divides
• Balance speed with sustainability - rapid scaling requires robust support systems

Expert Roundtables: Deepening the Practice

The "Making OKRs Stick Through Champions" panel revealed how champion networks serve as the backbone of successful implementations. The discussion emphasized that effective champions aren't necessarily the most senior people, but those who can influence and engage others while maintaining practical involvement.

The "AI & Strategy Execution" panel explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping OKR practices. Experts from Worldline, Siemens, and Google shared practical applications, from using natural language processing to improve OKR quality to leveraging AI for identifying patterns in organizational alignment. The consensus emerged that AI should enhance human judgment in strategy execution, not replace it.

Key Takeaways from Expert Discussions:

• Choose champions based on influence rather than seniority

• Use AI to enhance, not replace, human judgment in OKRs

• Create regular forums for sharing experiences and learnings

• Focus on practical application over theoretical perfection

Track 3: OKR Unusual Stories

GDM

GDM's story highlighted how OKRs can reshape organizational dynamics. Their focus on meaningful conversations about strategy and building accountability through transparency created a more engaged and aligned workforce, demonstrating how OKRs can drive cultural transformation.

Roambee

Roambee showed how OKRs can fuel innovation in product development. Their approach to linking strategic goals with customer outcomes has accelerated product development cycles while improving customer satisfaction, proving that OKRs can drive both innovation and practical results.

Workboard

Workboard's session on common pitfalls provided practical solutions to challenges like the "set and forget" syndrome and confusion between actions and results, emphasizing the importance of regular attention and clear outcome-based thinking.

Worldline

Worldline's 12-month rollout to 2,000 people proved that speed doesn't compromise quality when proper support structures are in place. Their squad-based approach enabled quick adoption while ensuring sustainable practice, offering valuable lessons for organizations planning rapid scaling.

Key Takeaways for Breaking New Ground:

• Use OKRs to drive cultural transformation

• Link strategic goals directly to customer outcomes

• Address common pitfalls proactively

• Focus on measuring meaningful impact over activities

Closing Keynote: Strategy Execution Maturity

The forum closed the Workshops rounds with a powerful reminder of Nokia's story - not a tale of failed strategy, but of failed execution. Despite being a pioneer in mobile innovation, Nokia's siloed organization and slow decision-making led to its downfall. This set the stage for understanding why effective strategic execution matters more than ever in today's rapidly changing business landscape. 

Strategy alone isn’t enough; organizations that execute well adapt quickly, align their teams, and turn plans into impact.

Here are the top three takeaways from my keynote on Strategy Execution Maturity:

1. Five dimensions form the foundation of strategic execution excellence:

• Align: Clear strategic priorities fully aligned across teams
• Execute: Clear ownership and continuous value measurement
• Improve: Systematic learning and adaptation
• Scale: Robust, scalable execution framework
• Empower: Data-driven, outcome-oriented culture

2. OKRs serve as a key enabler for strategy execution: Organizations that excel at OKR implementation show better overall business performance. This requires integrating OKRs into existing company processes, involving broader teams in implementation, and ensuring proper tooling to track progress.

3. Regular cadence and engagement drive success: Top-performing organizations opt for quarterly OKR cycles combined with weekly or bi-weekly check-ins. They focus on user experience with rationalized tools, integrate OKRs into existing processes like planning and budgeting, and ensure everyone understands how their work connects to broader goals.

Inaugural OKR Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Strategic Execution

The first-ever OKR Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in strategic execution across three categories, setting new benchmarks for the OKR community. 

• Start Category: Siemens Corporate Communications took home the "New Implementation Excellence" award for their innovative bottom-up approach

• Scale Category: TBC Bank's impressive integration of OKRs across 12 tribes and 150 squads earned them the "Scaling Excellence" award along with Groupe Rocher.

• Revived Category: IGT Play Digital

These winners not only demonstrated excellence in their implementations but also provided valuable blueprints for organizations at various stages of their OKR journey.

Re-watch the Forum

To re-watch the OKR Forum videos and dive deeper into each session's insights, click here. All sessions are available on-demand, allowing you to revisit the valuable discussions, expert panels, and practical implementations shared throughout the day.

Looking Forward

As organizations continue to face rapid change and increasing complexity, the lessons shared at OKR Forum 2025 provide valuable guidance for enhancing strategic execution capabilities. Whether starting fresh, scaling up, or breaking new ground, success lies in adapting OKRs to serve unique organizational needs while maintaining focus on meaningful outcomes.

👉 Want to learn more about implementing OKRs in your organization? Connect with our expert team at OKR mentors to discuss how we can help you transform your strategic execution.