10 OKR examples for Developers
What are Developers 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.
Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.
We have a collection of OKRs examples for Developers to give you some inspiration. You can use any of the templates below as a starting point for your OKRs.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Building your own Developers 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's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability 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 Developers OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Developers 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 enhance backend tech knowledge of two front-end developers
ObjectiveEnhance backend tech knowledge of two front-end developers
KRConduct 4 comprehensive interactive workshops on different backend technologies
Create marketing campaign to promote workshops- Schedule and organize the workshop logistics
- Identify topics and experts for each backend technology workshop
- KREnsure regular practical assignments for hands-on experience with feedback
- Develop a schedule for regular practical assignments
- Monitor and adjust assignments based on feedback
- Implement a system for providing constructive feedback
- KRAchieve 80% improvement in their backend coding skills through weekly testing
- Take weekly tests to assess improvement
- Dedicate five hours weekly for coding practice
- Enroll in a reputed online backend coding course
2. OKRs to enhance the technical proficiency of adservice team
- ObjectiveEnhance the technical proficiency of adservice team
- KRImplement 3 innovative ad-service solutions, verified by user feedback
- Implement selected ad-services on the platform
- Gather and analyze user feedback for verification
- Research and select 3 innovative ad-service solutions
- KRReduce bug-response time by 20% compared to current quarter stats
- Schedule regular team bug-fixing sprints
- Implement a robust issue tracking and management system
- Offer training on effective problem-solving techniques
- KRComplete 2 technical workshops per developer by the end of quarter
- Track and confirm developers' workshop completions
- Identify relevant technical workshops for each developer
- Enroll developers in selected workshops
3. OKRs to eliminate high-risk tech debt over the next year
- ObjectiveReduce high-risk tech debt to improve system stability
- KRConduct a thorough analysis to measure the impact of eliminating each high-risk tech debt item
- KROutline and prioritize initiatives to eliminate each high-risk tech debt item
- KRComplete the elimination of at least 50% of high-risk tech debt items
- KRIdentify top 10 high-risk tech debt items
4. OKRs to improve engineering performance and reliability
- ObjectiveBuild a world-class infrastructure
- KRIncrease Apdex above 0.95
- Cache requests wherever possible
- Identify and resolve to 5 application bottlenecks
- KRReduce build time to be under 5 minutes
- Audit test suite to reduce duplicates
- Switch to a more performing build infrastructure
- KROur stress tests show that we can support 10,000 concurrent users
5. OKRs to attain great security standards
- ObjectiveAttain great security standards
- KRAll developers score 90+ in our security awareness training
- KR100% of devices are enrolled in a Mobile Device Management system
- KR100% of our services have a threat mitigation system in place
- KROur policies cover 100% of the ISO 27001 requirements
6. OKRs to achieve As and Bs in English class
- ObjectiveAchieve As and Bs in English class
- KRIncrease practice time on English topics and reading to 10 hours per week
- Utilize English learning apps and online resources
- Incorporate English reading into daily routine
- Allocate specific time slots for English practice every day
- KRAttend tutoring sessions or study groups at least once a week
- Allocate specific time weekly to attend these sessions
- Enroll in weekly tutoring sessions or study groups
- Complete assignments and readings before attending sessions
- KRScore above 85% in all English assignments and essays
- Seek and utilize teacher's or mentor's feedback on assignments
- Consistently revise and practice grammar and vocabulary every day
- Draft and revise all essays before final submission
7. OKRs to improve AI security requirements operationalization for developers’ comprehension
- ObjectiveImprove AI security requirements operationalization for developers’ comprehension
- KRDevelop and deploy a standardized AI security guideline by 25%
- Draft a comprehensive AI security guideline
- Reduce guideline by 25% focusing on core elements
- Implement the streamlined AI security guideline across all systems
- KRReduce misunderstandings in AI security requirements by 30% through improved documentation
- Conduct regular staff trainings highlighting documentation procedures
- Establish clear, concise writing guidelines for technical content
- Implement a standardized format for all AI security requirement documents
- KRConduct bi-weekly developer trainings on new AI security protocols resulting in 80% adherence
8. OKRs to enforce coding standards to prevent new tech debt
- ObjectiveStandardize coding practices for debt reduction
- KRConduct training sessions to educate all team members
- KRReduce tech debt backlog by 50% through enforcement of standards
- KRDevelop and implement updated coding standards
- KRConduct quarterly reviews to ensure adherence to standards
9. OKRs to amplify our brand's unique value and differentiate from competitors
- ObjectiveAmplify our brand's unique value and differentiate from competitors
- KREnhance product features derived from USPs, resulting in a 10% rise in sales
- Monitor sales increase post-enhancements
- Identify and analyse unique selling points (USPs) of our product
- Implement enhancements based on researched USPs
- KRImplement customer feedback system to improve product/service differentiation by 20%
- Collaborate with IT team for system development and deployment
- Identify needed features for a comprehensive customer feedback system
- Train staff on how to properly utilise and interpret feedback data
- KRDevelop and launch a value-focused marketing campaign targeting 15% increase in brand awareness
- Identify key brand values to emphasize in campaign messaging
- Design and produce value-focused marketing materials
- Execute marketing campaign through various channels for optimal reach
10. OKRs to reduce app loading time by 20%
- ObjectiveImprove app loading time
- KRIdentify key performance bottlenecks
- KRConduct app performance analysis
- KRImplement code optimization techniques
- KRTest app performance after optimizations
Developers 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 Developers OKRs
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the 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
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 Developers OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to strengthen overall cybersecurity infrastructure
- OKRs to ensure efficient transition from SAP ECC to SAP S/4
- OKRs to enhance soft skills proficiency amongst the sales team
- OKRs to successfully transition the PMMA-Smile connection to BAPIQ mesh URL
- OKRs to successfully launch the asset managers unit trust business
- OKRs to establish a successful YouTube channel