10 OKR examples for Automation
What are Automation 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.
Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Automation to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Building your own Automation OKRs with AI
How to create great OKRs for any scenario in seconds
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here.
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.
How to improve existing OKRs with AI feedback
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.
Using the free OKR generator to get a quick template
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.
Our Automation OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Automation 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!
1. OKRs to increase test automation percentage to 80%
- ObjectiveIncrease test automation percentage to 80%
- KRImplement 60% of test automation by the end of the first month
- Develop script for selected automated tests
- Identify key tests suitable for automation
- Implement and validate the automated tests
- KRFinalize and establish 80% test automation by the end of the objective's period
- Identify key functionalities requiring automated testing
- Develop and implement desired automated tests
- Review and troubleshoot test results regularly
- KRImprove test coverage with automation to 70% by end of the second month
- Develop and implement automated testing strategies
- Consistently review and adjust strategies to reach 70% coverage
- Identify crucial areas lacking sufficient test coverage
2. OKRs to enhance automation coverage in UPI's T1 and T2 services
- ObjectiveEnhance automation coverage in UPI's T1 and T2 services
- KRDecrease deployment time for T1 and T2 services by 40% using automation
- Continually review and enhance automation techniques for efficiency
- Implement automated tools for streamlining T1 and T2 service deployment
- Train staff to leverage automation in the deployment process
- KRAchieve 95% deployment stability for automated T1 and T2 services
- Develop robust automation scripts for T1 and T2 services deployment
- Develop contingency plans for failed deployments
- Implement rigorous pre-deployment testing to ensure stability
- KRExpand backend automation to cover 70% of T1 services by the end of the quarter
- Develop an automation strategy and timeline
- Implement and test automation processes
- Identify T1 services suitable for backend automation
3. OKRs to increase automation coverage of manual test cases to 50%
- ObjectiveIncrease automation coverage of manual test cases to 50%
- KRIdentify and prioritize 100% of manual test cases suitable for automation by week 4
- Catalog all existing manual test cases
- Evaluate each test case's automation potential
- Prioritize automation of high-potential cases
- KRDevelop and implement automation scripts for 25% of identified test cases by week 6
- Implement the developed automation scripts
- Identify test cases suitable for automation
- Develop scripts for 25% of identified tests
- KRAchieve 50% automation coverage by successfully testing and deploying new scripts by week 12
- Develop and implement a detailed automation script plan
- Deploy tested scripts by week 12
- Run comprehensive tests on new automation scripts
4. OKRs to enhance proficiency in automation tools and methods
- ObjectiveEnhance proficiency in automation tools and methods
- KRScore 90% or more on all automation tools exams
- Review study materials daily for thorough understanding
- Schedule regular practice tests to gauge progress
- Attend courses or workshops for improved proficiency
- KRComplete four advanced online courses on automation tools by next quarter
- Identify four advanced online courses on automation tools
- Complete the courses and all associated assignments
- Enroll in selected online courses
- KRImplement a small automation project using knowledge from the courses
- Design an automation process using course knowledge
- Identify a repetitive task that can be automated
- Implement and test the automation process
5. OKRs to implement automation and simplify processes through expertise
- ObjectiveImplement automation and simplify processes through expertise
- KRIdentify and design simplification of 3 key operational processes by quarter end
- Select three key processes for simplification
- Assess current operational processes to identify complexity
- Craft simplification plan for these processes
- KRShare knowledge through conducting 2 workshops on automation to the team to enhance expertise
- Schedule and conduct the two automation workshops
- Prepare comprehensive and engaging workshop materials
- Determine relevant automation topics to cover in workshops
- KRDevelop and integrate automation into 2 identified processes to increase efficiency by 30%
- Design and develop automation for these processes
- Identify suitable processes which will benefit from automation
- Implement and integrate developed automation
6. OKRs to reduce manual tasks through automation and process improvement
- ObjectiveReduce manual tasks through automation and process improvement
- KRImplement automation in 2 core business processes to reduce manual input by 50%
- Select effective automation tools for these processes
- Monitor and implement the automation project
- Identify 2 core business processes suitable for automation
- KRTrain 70% of team members on new automation tools, boosting productivity by 20%
- Identify necessary automation tools for increased productivity
- Implement training for 70% of team members
- Develop comprehensive training program on these tools
- KRDecrease manual error rate by 30% with improved checks and balances
- Establish a regular error-checking schedule
- Implement thorough training on protocols and procedures
- Introduce advanced error-detection software tools
7. OKRs to enhance Automation Capabilities
- ObjectiveEnhance Automation Capabilities
- KRDecrease average processing time by 30% using enhanced automation tools
- Research and explore available enhanced automation tools suitable for our organization's needs
- Implement chosen automation tools and train relevant staff members on their usage
- Identify and analyze current manual processes to identify areas for automation
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of automation tools on processing time and make necessary adjustments
- KRReduce manual errors by 15% through improved automation techniques
- KRIncrease the percentage of automated processes by 20%
- KRAchieve a customer satisfaction score of 90% by delivering superior automated services
- Conduct regular customer surveys to collect feedback and identify areas for improvement
- Regularly analyze customer satisfaction data to identify trends and proactively make necessary adjustments
- Enhance user interface to improve usability and simplify interaction with automated services
- Implement customer feedback loop to promptly address any issues and ensure continuous service enhancement
8. OKRs to enhance profitability within QA teams
- ObjectiveEnhance profitability within QA teams
- KRCut costs by implementing automation resulting in 10% budget savings
- Calculate and monitor savings from automation
- Identify repetitive tasks that are suitable for automation
- Implement automation tools in selected operations
- KRImprove efficiency by reducing testing time by 20%
- Prioritize critical areas in testing procedures
- Implement automated testing to streamline the process
- Regularly review and revise testing protocols
- KRDecrease the number of software defects by 15%
- Enroll team in continuous improvement training
- Implement a comprehensive code review process
- Conduct regular software testing sessions
9. OKRs to accelerate process efficiency by achieving 80% test automation
- ObjectiveAccelerate process efficiency by achieving 80% test automation
- KRDevelop and implement two new automation tools
- Research potential automation tools relevant to business needs
- Train team on tool usage and proceed with implementation
- Build and beta test two selected automation tools
- KRIncrease current test automation coverage by 20%
- Develop and implement additional automation tests
- Monitor and evaluate progress regularly
- Identify areas where test automation is currently lacking
- KRReduce manual testing time by 30%
- Train staff in efficient, effective testing strategies
- Implement automated testing tools for repeated tasks
- Prioritize test cases based on importance
10. OKRs to streamline and Automate UPI Backend Operations
- ObjectiveStreamline and Automate UPI Backend Operations
- KREnsure 99.9% uptime for UPI backend systems via automated monitoring and maintenance
- Implement automated monitoring systems for real-time performance tracking
- Schedule regular maintenance of UPI backend systems
- Develop automated failover protocols to minimize downtime
- KRIncrease backend processing speed by 30% through automation enhancements
- Develop automation scripts to enhance these areas
- Identify inefficient areas in the current backend process
- Test, implement, and monitor improvement in speed
- KRReduce backend error rates by 25% with improved automation and debugging
- Develop automated testing for identification of backend errors
- Implement improved error tracking software
- Conduct regular debugging sessions to reduce errors
Automation 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
Having too many OKRs is the #1 mistake that teams make when adopting the framework. The problem with tracking too many competing goals is that it will be hard for your team to know what really matters.
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
Setting good goals can be challenging, but without regular check-ins, your team will struggle to make progress. We recommend that you track your OKRs weekly to get the full benefits from the framework.
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 Automation OKRs
OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full benefits from the 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
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
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 Automation OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to boost talent retention OKRs to successfully launch an online POD store on Shopify using Printify OKRs to capture new tech trends in education and learning OKRs to drive change for a better future based on data and evidence OKRs to secure 10 new request for proposals OKRs to establish a comprehensive knowledge base