Tability is a cheatcode for goal-driven teams. Set perfect OKRs with AI, stay focused on the work that matters.
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.
The best tools for writing perfect Code OKRs
Here are 2 tools that can help you draft your OKRs in no time.
Tability AI: to generate OKRs based on a prompt
Tability AI allows you to describe your goals in a prompt, and generate a fully editable OKR template in seconds.
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Click on the Generate goals using AI
- 3. Describe your goals in a prompt
- 4. Get your fully editable OKR template
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Tability Feedback: to improve existing OKRs
You can use Tability's AI feedback to improve your OKRs if you already have existing goals.
- 1. Create your Tability account
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on Generate analysis
- 4. Review the suggestions and decide to accept or dismiss them
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
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.
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!
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
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
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
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
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
OKRs to mobile and QR code integration
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
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
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
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.
Save hours with automated Code OKR dashboards
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, you can move to Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.
How to get Tability dashboards:
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Use the importers to add your OKRs (works with any spreadsheet or doc)
- 3. Publish your OKR plan
That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.
More Code OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to achieve proficiency in Common Core and the Mono Repo
- OKRs to improve knowledge of ozonation process
- OKRs to eliminate high-risk tech debt over the next year
- OKRs to deepen understanding of customer needs
- OKRs to achieve a pass grade above 70 in all subjects
- OKRs to boost customer loyalty and cultivate stronger relationships