15 customisable OKR examples for Cost Management
What are Cost Management 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 Cost Management 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 Cost Management OKRs with AI
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own OKRs.
Our customisable Cost Management OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Cost Management 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 implement effective cloud cost management and budget alignment strategies
Implement effective cloud cost management and budget alignment strategies
Increase forecast accuracy for cloud spending by 20% via predictive analytics
Continuously improve data models for better forecasting accuracy- Implement rigorous testing and validation of predictive models
- Develop precise predictive analytics algorithms for cloud spending
- Reduce overall cloud expenditure by 15% using cost-optimization strategies
- Identify and eliminate underutilized or idle cloud resources
- Optimize cloud storage and data transfer processes
- Implement automation and scale-down capabilities
- Implement a cloud cost governance framework that achieves 100% budget adherence
- Establish financial controls and reporting tools
- Monitor cost usage and optimize resources regularly
- Define a strict budget for your cloud services
2. OKRs to increase cost management efficiency for people and operations
- Increase cost management efficiency for people and operations
- Implement cost tracking system to monitor and analyze spend across departments
- Train department heads in cost tracking system usage
- Launch system and begin monitoring departmental expenses
- Select cost tracking software suitable for our business needs
- Train managers on cost management best practices to mitigate overspending
- Follow-up on training effectiveness and changes
- Identify experts to guide practice implementation
- Arrange cost management training seminars for managers
- Reduce operational costs by 10% through process optimization and automation
- Conduct a thorough assessment of current operational processes
- Implement process optimization and automation strategies
- Identify inefficiencies and areas for automation
3. OKRs to implement effective cost goal setting process
- Implement effective cost goal setting process
- Identify potential opportunities for cost savings across all departments
- Analyze existing expenses for each department
- Study external market trends for cost-saving chances
- Evaluate efficiency of current operational processes
- Establish a tracking system for monthly cost performance against set objectives
- Implement and test the tracking system
- Evaluate current costs and define performance objectives
- Choose suitable cost tracking software
- Decrease operational costs by 15% through optimized resource allocation
- Develop an effective resource allocation plan
- Train staff in resource optimization techniques
- Identify areas with substantial resource wastage
4. OKRs to lower unvalued inventory by 10%
- Lower unvalued inventory by 10%
- Implement disposal or revaluation strategy for 50% of identified items
- Evaluate current market value for selected items
- Identify potential buyers or recyclers for 50% of identified items
- Initiate negotiations or disposal process
- Identify top 20% of unvalued items within two weeks
- Rank items based on set criteria
- Establish criteria for determining item value
- Assess inventory for potential unvalued items
- Achieve 5% reduction in unvalued inventory every month
- Increase sales promotions to eliminate unvalued inventory
- Conduct regular audits to identify obsolete inventory
- Implement a better management system for stock levels
5. OKRs to increase revenue to achieve $25,000 gain
- Increase revenue to achieve $25,000 gain
- Decrease operational expenses by 5% through cost management strategies
- Negotiate with vendors to lower expenses on supplies
- Review and streamline business processes for efficiency
- Implement energy-efficient practices to decrease utility costs
- Increase sales conversion rate by 10% through strategic marketing initiatives
- Optimize website for enhanced user experience
- Implement targeted advertising based on customer behavior analysis
- Develop a personalized email marketing campaign
- Launch 2 new profitable products or services to augment revenue stream
- Identify potential products or services based on market demand
- Execute a strong marketing and sales strategy
- Develop a comprehensive business plan for each product
6. OKRs to improve efficiency and effectiveness in facilities management
- Improve efficiency and effectiveness in facilities management
- Achieve 90% satisfaction rate in employee facilities survey
- Implement updates and improvements based on feedback
- Conduct an initial survey to gauge current satisfaction levels
- Regularly communicate improvements to employees
- Reduce maintenance response time by 15%
- Implement an automated maintenance request tracking system
- Increase maintenance staff availability
- Train techs on response time reduction strategies
- Decrease facilities-related expenses by 10%
- Regularly maintain and repair equipment to avoid costly replacements
- Implement energy-efficient lighting and heating systems
- Negotiate lower rates with utilities providers
7. OKRs to streamline vendor management for efficient cost savings and digitalized P2P process
- Streamline vendor management for efficient cost savings and digitalized P2P process
- Reduce vendor costs by 15% through negotiation and strategic sourcing
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies with chosen vendors
- Identify all current vendor contracts and review cost details
- Prioritize vendors for renegotiation based on potential cost savings
- Improve P2P process turnaround time by 30%, leveraging digital tools and automation
- Train staff on efficient use of new automation tools
- Optimize P2P process workflow with AI-powered tooling
- Implement digital systems to automate invoice generation and payment
- Achieve 90% digitalization of P2P processes to enhance operational efficiency
- Implement digital software platforms for P2P interactions
- Monitor and evaluate digitalization progress regularly
- Train staff on digital P2P process management
8. OKRs to grow personal net worth to $1M
- Grow personal net worth to $1M
- Invest 30% of income in high-yield, low-risk opportunities
- Allocate funds towards selected investment opportunities
- Determine the amount equalling 30% of your yearly income
- Research high-yield, low-risk investment options
- Increase monthly income by 50% through diversifying income streams
- Learn and engage in e-commerce or online business opportunities
- Explore and invest in a variety of income generating assets
- Start a side job or freelance work related to your skills
- Reduce monthly expenses by 20% through budgeting and disciplined spending
- Establish a strict weekly budget and stick to it
- Cut out unnecessary expenses such as dining out
- Regularly review and adjust spending habits
9. OKRs to enhance cloud efficiency while managing costs
- Enhance cloud efficiency while managing costs
- Reduce cloud resource wastage by 20% without affecting performance
- Enhance cloud resource allocation based on usage patterns
- Delete unused virtual machines and storage volumes
- Implement efficient workload balancing on existing cloud infrastructure
- Improve cloud server response time by 15%
- Optimize database queries and indexing
- Upgrade server infrastructure to a higher-performance specification
- Implement load balancing across multiple cloud servers
- Decrease cloud service expenditure by 10% through efficient resource management
- Analyze current cloud service usage to identify wastage
- Enforce strict policies for cloud service usage
- Develop a plan to consolidate and optimize resources
10. OKRs to minimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- Minimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- Increase operational efficiency by 15% through the utilisation of lean methodologies
- Train team in lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles
- Continuously monitor, measure and adjust for improved efficiency
- Implement lean tools, such as 5S, to optimize processes
- Implement at least 3 cost-saving initiatives within various departments
- Develop and present cost-saving initiative proposals
- Identify potential cost-saving areas in different departments
- Implement selected cost-saving strategies in respective departments
- Achieve a 10% reduction in total operational costs without compromising output quality
- Negotiate lower prices with vendors
- Implement lean processes to reduce waste
- Evaluate and optimize energy usage for cost efficiency
11. OKRs to increase gross profit margin to 10% in MICE
- Increase gross profit margin to 10% in MICE
- Decrease overhead expenses in MICE by 10%
- Reduce non-essential business travel
- Implement energy-saving measures for lighting, heating, and cooling
- Negotiate lower prices with suppliers
- Improve pricing strategies to enhance per unit profit in MICE by 15%
- Analyze and refine current discounting strategies
- Adopt value-based pricing to maximize profit margins
- Implement dynamic pricing model based on demand and competition
- Boost MICE sales revenue by at least 20%
- Train sales team in effective upselling techniques
- Implement aggressive marketing campaigns on digital platforms
- Design lucrative package deals for MICE clients
12. OKRs to increase wealth by improving income and managing spending
- Increase wealth by improving income and managing spending
- Dedicate 10% of each paycheck to investments to generate additional income
- Determine monthly income
- Transfer this amount to chosen investments
- Calculate 10% of the monthly income
- Raise primary income by 15% through performance at work or business growth
- Seek promotion or salary increase at the current job
- Develop and implement strategies for business sales growth
- Improve job performance through continuing education or training
- Reduce unnecessary expenses by identifying and eliminating 20% of non-essential costs
- Create a strategy to eliminate identified non-essential costs
- Review and categorize all expenses to identify non-essential costs
- Implement the cost-reduction strategy and track progress
13. OKRs to boost profitability via disciplined revenue and expense management
- Boost profitability via disciplined revenue and expense management
- Increase quarterly revenue by 10% through strategic sales initiatives
- Develop and implement a comprehensive sales training program
- Optimize pricing strategy for improved profitability
- Identify and target high-revenue potential clients
- Decrease operating costs by 15% via efficiency improvements
- Streamline supply chain to reduce excess waste
- Identify non-essential operations that can be terminated or outsourced
- Implement energy efficient technology in the office
- Achieve a consistent 20% profit margin throughout the upcoming quarter
- Upsell and cross-sell to increase profits
- Analyze previous quarters to identify profitable strategies
- Streamline business operations to reduce expenses
14. OKRs to optimize delivery operations to save costs
- Optimize delivery operations to save costs
- Reduce average delivery distance by 10% using route optimization
- Implement advanced route optimization software
- Prioritize orders based on geographical location
- Train drivers on efficient routing methods
- Lower fuel consumption by 15% through efficient vehicle usage
- Implement routine vehicle maintenance checks
- Redefine routes for maximum fuel efficiency
- Train drivers in fuel-efficient driving techniques
- Cut delivery overtime hours by 20% through better schedule management
- Provide schedule management training for delivery personnel
- Develop efficient delivery routes to cut travel time
- Implement a strict tracking system for delivery timelines
15. OKRs to enhance strategic planning and cut costs in category and product management
- Enhance strategic planning and cut costs in category and product management
- Develop and implement a strategic category plan for 3 top-selling product lines
- Implement the developed plan across each product line
- Identify the three top-selling product lines
- Create a comprehensive strategic category plan
- Increase cost efficiency by improving negotiation skills, saving 15% on supplier contracts
- Enroll in professional negotiation skills workshops
- Establish a targeted savings goal for each contract
- Negotiate supplier contracts effectively to ensure savings
- Implement a new budgeting tool to decrease product development costs by 20%
- Monitor and adjust implementation for efficiency
- Train product development team on chosen tool
- Identify suitable budgeting tools within the market
Cost Management OKR best practices to boost success
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.
Tability's audit dashboard will highlight opportunities to improve OKRsTip #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.
Tability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparencyTip #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 turn your Cost Management OKRs in a strategy map
The rules of OKRs are simple. Quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly, and yearly OKRs should be tracked monthly. 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
We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsIf 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 Cost Management OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to improve our delivery of results to clients
- OKRs to successfully implement 18 HSE awareness training sessions
- OKRs to achieve consistent delivery of a high-quality application
- OKRs to enhance project planning and team coordination
- OKRs to establish an effective grant research volunteer team
- OKRs to enhance customer experience through improved operations and quality solutions
OKRs resources
Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the Objectives and Key Results framework.
- To learn: What is the meaning of OKRs
- Blog posts: ODT Blog
- Success metrics: KPIs examples
What's next? Try Tability's goal-setting AI
You can create an iterate on your OKRs using Tability's unique goal-setting AI.
Watch the demo below, then hop on the platform for a free trial.