10 OKR examples for Code
What are Code 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.
Writing good OKRs can be hard, especially if it's your first time doing it. You'll need to center the focus of your plans around outcomes instead of projects.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Code 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 Code 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 Code OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Code Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).
Hope you'll find this helpful!
1. OKRs to substantially reduce technical debt across all projects
- ObjectiveSubstantially reduce technical debt across all projects
- KRAchieve 95% test code coverage to identify and correct hidden bugs
- Use a code coverage tool to measure efficiency
- Refactor poorly covered code sections
- Write comprehensive unit tests for each function or component
- KRDecrease codebase complexity by 25% using refactoring techniques
- Implement effective refactoring techniques to simplify code
- Regularly review and optimize code to maintain simplicity
- Identify redundant and inefficient code for elimination
- KRConduct bi-weekly code reviews to identify and solve 30% of debt issues
- Schedule bi-weekly code review sessions
- Identify issues contributing to code debt
- Implement solutions for 30% of identified issues
2. OKRs to efficient and secure completion of Wiz Rollout Secure Code2Cloud phase 2
- ObjectiveEfficient and secure completion of Wiz Rollout Secure Code2Cloud phase 2
- KRPerform and pass robust stress-testing on Code2Cloud without any system breakdowns
- Identify potential weak points in Code2Cloud architecture
- Execute a series of rigorous stress-tests on Code2Cloud
- Analyze results and make necessary improvements to code configuration
- KRAttain 100% coding completion with zero vulnerabilities identified in code reviews
- Regularly conduct rigorous code review sessions
- Implement strict protocols for quality assurance in coding
- Train team in advanced security-centric coding practices
- KREnsure 100% team training on the updated system and data security measures
- Implement updated data security measures training
- Monitor and confirm everyone’s participation in training
- Schedule comprehensive training sessions on updated system
3. OKRs to improve code quality through effective code reviews
- ObjectiveImprove code quality through effective code reviews
- KRReduce average time taken to complete code reviews
- Set clear expectations and guidelines for code reviews
- Use automated tools for code analysis and review to enhance efficiency
- Implement a peer review process to streamline code reviews
- Provide regular code review training sessions for team members
- KRImplement and track improvements in code review feedback incorporation rate
- Conduct a survey to collect feedback from developers on barriers to incorporating code review feedback
- Analyze the survey results to identify the common barriers to incorporating code review feedback
- Implement a tracking system to monitor and measure the improvements in code review feedback incorporation rate
- Develop a training program to address the identified barriers and improve feedback incorporation rate
- KRIncrease team members' satisfaction with code review process
- KRIncrease average number of bugs caught through code review per week
4. OKRs to securely integrate Code42 and Abnormal Security with existing operations
- ObjectiveSecurely integrate Code42 and Abnormal Security with existing operations
- KRDevelop, test, and validate 3 playbooks for Abnormal Security integration
- Write codes for 3 Abnormal Security integration playbooks
- Validate the effectiveness and efficiency of each playbook
- Test the functionality of all 3 playbooks
- KRDefine and document 3 playbooks for Code42 integration without security breaches
- Ensure secure procedures are incorporated into guides
- Document the integration process explicitly
- Identify necessary features for Code42 integration playbooks
- KRMeasure and ensure 90% of staff are trained on the new playbooks implementation
- Schedule and conduct training sessions with staff members
- Conduct surveys or tests to confirm 90% staff training completion
- Develop extensive training modules for new playbooks implementation
5. OKRs to foster rapid and secure high-quality code development
- ObjectiveFoster rapid and secure high-quality code development
- KRIncrease code reviews to ensure 100% implementation of security protocols
- Implement automated code review tools for security compliance
- Schedule regular code review sessions with team members
- Provide training on security protocol standards during code reviews
- KRImplement a standardized coding style guide across all projects by quarter end
- Develop a comprehensive coding style guide
- Enforce guide compliance in project reviews
- Communicate the guide to all developers
- KRDecrease the development cycle by 30% through effective work methodologies
- Regularly update and optimize software tools for improved efficiency
- Adopt test-driven development to reduce debugging time
- Implement agile project management for quicker iteration cycles
6. OKRs to mobile and QR code integration
7. OKRs to implement automation testing across development platform and code
- ObjectiveImplement automation testing across development platform and code
- KRIdentify and list 100% of testable features within the existing code base
- Review entire code base to identify testable features
- Create a comprehensive list of these features
- Confirm all identified features are indeed testable
- KRCreate and document comprehensive automated test scripts for 70% of identified features
- Develop comprehensive automated test scripts
- Identify key features requiring automated test scripts
- Document tested features and script process
- KRAchieve a 95% success rate in detecting and reporting bugs through automation tests
- Implement automated testing tools to highlight software errors
- Train team members on analyzing automated test results
- Regularly update and refine automated test scripts
8. OKRs to qR code integration
- ObjectiveSuccessfully integrate QR code technology into our product offering
- KRTest and ensure 99% accurate scanning of integrated QR codes
- Develop rigorous testing protocols for QR code accuracy
- Review and analyse test results to identify improvements
- Conduct repeated accuracy tests on integrated QR codes
- KRTrain 100% of our team on QR code product feature updates and functionalities
- Identify required updates and functionalities for QR code product training
- Develop comprehensive training materials for team members
- Schedule and conduct training sessions for all team members
- KRImplement QR code functionality on at least 90% of our products
- Design QR codes for each eligible product
- Research and select a suitable QR code generation system
- Integrate QR codes with product packaging design
9. OKRs to enhance efficiency and productivity in development within the team
- ObjectiveEnhance efficiency and productivity in development within the team
- KRImprove problem-solving capabilities by 40% in resolving coding issues
- Seek mentorship from senior coders for guidance
- Practice resolving issues with more complex code
- Enroll in advanced coding and problem-solving workshops
- KRDeliver four high-quality projects within agreed upon timelines and standards
- Maintain continual progress monitoring for quality assurance
- Establish clear timelines and standards for each project
- Implement effective communication amongst project team members
- KRIncrease engagement and participation in weekly team development reviews by 100%
- Send reminder notifications prior to weekly development review meetings
- Incentivize active participation with rewards recognizing valuable input
- Ensure agenda topics are relevant and engaging for all team members
10. OKRs to elevate overall test coverage across all features
- ObjectiveElevate overall test coverage across all features
- KRImplement a process for monitoring and increasing test coverage on an ongoing basis
- Implement a continuous test coverage monitoring system
- Develop strategies to continuously improve test coverage
- Identify existing areas lacking sufficient test coverage
- KRIdentify and address 30% of areas with low test coverage across existing features
- Prioritize these features based on importance
- Identify features with less than 70% test coverage
- Develop and implement tests to increase coverage
- KRAchieve 70% code coverage for all new features developed in the next quarter
- Conduct reviews and refactoring sessions to improve coverage
- Implement mandatory unit tests for all newly developed features
- Monitor code coverage regularly using suitable tools
Code 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 Code 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
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 Code OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
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