What are Applications OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.
To aid you in setting your goals, we have compiled a collection of OKR examples customized for Applications. Take a look at the templates below for inspiration and guidance.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own Applications OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
Applications OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Applications Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to successfully complete Micro-segmentation for Tier1 and Tier2 applications
- ObjectiveSuccessfully complete Micro-segmentation for Tier1 and Tier2 applications
- KRImplement micro-segmentation for at least 60% of prioritized applications
- Develop a diagram detailing each application's segmentation
- Execute approved micro-segmentation plan across identified apps
- Identify top 60% of high-priority apps for micro-segmentation
- KRIdentify and prioritize all Tier1 and Tier2 applications by end of first month
- Evaluate the importance and usage of listed applications
- Compile a list of all Tier1 and Tier2 applications
- Rank applications based on evaluation results
- KRDevelop an individualized micro-segmentation plan for 75% of identified applications
- Identify key characteristics of each application for segmentation
- Implement segmentation plans on 75% of selected applications
- Create customized micro-segmentation strategy for each application
OKRs to boost the success rate of competitive grant applications
- ObjectiveBoost the success rate of competitive grant applications
- KRAchieve a 20% increase in submitted high-quality grant applications
- Introduce incentives for submitting quality grant applications
- Develop specific criteria for distinguishing high-quality applications
- Provide staff with targeted grant writing training
- KRImprove grant writing skills of the team by conducting 3 intensive training sessions
- Gather materials for training sessions
- Hire experienced grant writing trainers
- Schedule three intensive grant writing training sessions
- KRForm partnerships with 5 key organizations to strengthen grant proposal narratives
- Formulate proposals for partnership and exchange mutual benefits
- Identify 5 key organizations relevant to our grant proposal narrative
- Establish contact and open dialogue with targeted organizations
OKRs to enhance the accessibility and utility of Customer Care Applications
- ObjectiveEnhance the accessibility and utility of Customer Care Applications
- KRDecrease application error reports by 30%
- Establish stronger error tracking and fixing systems
- Train development team on advanced debugging methods
- Implement rigorous software testing before product launch
- KRIncrease app user engagement by adding two new customer-centric features
- Implement and promote the new features within the app
- Identify customer needs through surveys or feedback tools
- Design two new customer-centric features based on the identified needs
- KRImprove app user interface for 25% higher customer satisfaction rate
- Conduct user testing to identify areas for interface improvement
- Implement design changes based on user testing feedback
- Monitor user reviews and satisfaction metrics post-update
OKRs to reduce MTTR of critical business applications by 15%
- ObjectiveReduce MTTR of critical business applications by 15%
- KRImplement proactive system monitoring to decrease incident occurrences by 20%
- Regularly review and modify monitoring threshold levels
- Train staff on interpreting monitoring alerts and logs
- Deploy advanced system monitoring tools and software
- KRIdentify and remediate 30% of recurring application issues by end of quarter
- Define metrics to identify recurring application issues
- Develop a comprehensive troubleshooting guide
- Implement and monitor remediation strategies
- KRTrain support team on advanced troubleshooting techniques to improve efficiency by 10%
- Supervise team practice on simulated support scenarios
- Organize advanced troubleshooting skills training sessions
- Monitor and evaluate team's performance post-training
OKRs to integrate two applications seamlessly
- ObjectiveIntegrate two applications seamlessly
- KRImprove user experience by reducing the average response time by 15%
- KRIncrease data transfer accuracy between applications by 20%
- Conduct regular performance testing and optimization measures on the applications
- Optimize network infrastructure for faster and more reliable data transmission
- Implement data validation checks in the application code
- Improve error handling and logging mechanism for data transfer failures
- KRReduce integration errors by implementing automated testing, resulting in a 30% decrease in bugs
- Analyze and address the root causes of integration errors to prevent future occurrences
- Regularly update and maintain the automated test suite to match system changes
- Implement a continuous integration process to detect integration errors early on
- Develop automated tests for integration scenarios to ensure proper functionality
- KRAchieve a 95% success rate in processing transactions between the integrated applications
OKRs to secure satisfying employment amidst summer distractions
- ObjectiveSecure satisfying employment amidst summer distractions
- KRNetwork with at least 2 industry professionals daily
- Attend online industry-related workshops or webinars
- Regularly participate in LinkedIn discussions
- Arrange weekly information interviews with industry professionals
- KRCustomize and fine-tune resume for 100% of applications
- Identify job posting requirements and align resume skills accordingly
- Integrate relevant keywords into the resume text
- Review and customize resume layout and design
- KRApply to at least 15 targeted jobs per week
- Update resume and cover letters for each application
- Submit applications and track progress weekly
- Research and identify 15 specific jobs to apply to each week
OKRs to implement fraud reporting applications for customers
- ObjectiveImplement fraud reporting applications for customers
- KRLaunch application and achieve 30% adoption among active customers within one month
- Initiate a marketing campaign for app awareness
- Offer attractive incentives for initial app adopters
- Develop a user-friendly and appealing app interface
- KRTest application with 100 users within three weeks of prototype completion
- Finalize prototype for application testing
- Recruit 100 users for application testing
- Conduct application testing within three weeks
- KRDevelop a prototype for the fraud reporting application in two weeks
- Develop a functional prototype within the deadline
- Conduct and document initial usability tests
- Outline necessary features for the fraud reporting app
OKRs to successfully migrate on-prem applications to cloud setup
- ObjectiveSuccessfully migrate on-prem applications to cloud setup
- KRPerform successful trial migration for at least 2 applications without compromising functionality
- Identify two applications suitable for migration testing
- Perform incremental migration while ensuring functionality
- Verify the successful migration and performance
- KRIdentify and prioritize 70% of on-prem applications for migration by comparing impact and feasibility
- Evaluate each application's migration impact and feasibility
- List existing on-prem applications for review
- Prioritize 70% of applications based on evaluation results
- KRAchieve full migration with zero downtime for the prioritized list of applications
- Test and implement the migration plan effectively
- Ensure proper setup for seamless transition without downtime
- Create a detailed migration plan for priority applications
OKRs to thorough understanding of all interrelated applications for improved initiative research
- ObjectiveThorough understanding of all interrelated applications for improved initiative research
- KRDevelop a process strategy to improve a new initiative's research based on the application interaction findings
- Develop a process strategy based on observed data trends
- Analyze existing application interaction data for key patterns and insights
- Implement process changes, measure results, and iterate as needed
- KREvaluate and document key functionalities of 15 applications by end of Quarter
- Evaluate and note key features of each application
- Compile and finalize documentation of findings
- Identify 15 applications for functionality evaluation
- KRLead four cross-functional meetings to discuss application interactions and understand dependencies
- Schedule four cross-functional team meetings
- Prepare agendas focusing on application interactions
- Identify and list potential dependency issues
OKRs to successfully migrate all applications to a secure DevOps pipeline
- ObjectiveSuccessfully migrate all applications to a secure DevOps pipeline
- KRAchieve zero security incidents post-migration in the reviewed applications
- Regularly review and update security measures
- Implement solid security mechanisms post-migration
- Conduct thorough security checks and audits before migration
- KRTrain 80% of development team on secure DevOps pipeline management
- Identify team members needing secure DevOps pipeline training
- Organize a training program with a competent instructor
- Schedule and implement training sessions for identified members
- KRImplement secure DevOps pipeline framework for 50% of existing applications
- Develop or acquire the necessary secure DevOps pipeline framework
- Identify applications suitable for secure DevOps pipeline implementation
- Roll out the framework across the identified applications
Applications OKR best practices
Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.
Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇
Tip #1: Limit the number of key results
The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.
We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row
Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.
Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.
How to track your Applications OKRs
Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
Most teams should start with a spreadsheet if they're using OKRs for the first time. Then, once you get comfortable you can graduate to a proper OKRs-tracking tool.
If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More Applications OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to enhance proficiency in speaker management and resume writing OKRs to improve performance and efficacy of reading teachers OKRs to establish a high-performance Operational Excellence Office OKRs to incorporate environmental policies into national parks infrastructure upgrade plan OKRs to enhance efficiency of month end reporting process OKRs to improve overall HR efficiency and employee satisfaction