10 OKR examples for Operations
What are Operations 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.
OKRs are quickly gaining popularity as a goal-setting framework. But, it's not always easy to know how to write your goals, especially if it's your first time using OKRs.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Operations to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Building your own Operations 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 Operations OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Operations 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 successfully optimize a contract operations project
- ObjectiveSuccessfully optimize a contract operations project
- KRImplement optimizations in top-priority area and achieve 20% efficiency increase
- Monitor and ensure 20% efficiency increase
- Develop and implement efficiency improvement strategies
- Identify top-priority area requiring optimization
- KRIdentify and prioritize 5 potential areas for improvement by end of Week 3
- Rank the areas based on urgency and potential impact
- Identify 5 areas in need of improvement within the operations
- Analyze the importance and impact of each area
- KRDocument the optimization process with insights to guide future projects
- Create a guide based on insights for future projects
- Analyze and record insights gained from the optimization
- Document all steps taken during process optimization
2. OKRs to streamline operations for cost efficiency
- ObjectiveStreamline operations for cost efficiency
- KRDecrease energy consumption by 20% via sustainability initiatives
- Install energy-efficient lighting and appliances throughout the facility
- Enforce strict conservation policies for water and electricity usage
- Implement a company-wide recycling program
- KRReduce supply chain costs by 15% through vendor renegotiation
- Identify areas of overspending in the current supply chain
- Research vendors with more competitive pricing
- Initiate renegotiation discussions with current suppliers
- KRImplement automation processes, lowering labor costs by 10%
- Evaluate and adjust based on savings analysis
- Implement automation software or technology
- Identify repetitive tasks suitable for automation
3. OKRs to optimize financial operations for strategic partnerships and alliances
- ObjectiveOptimize financial operations for strategic partnerships and alliances
- KRImprove financial reporting accuracy for partnerships and alliances by 20%
- Regularly review and adjust the reporting process
- Implement robust data verification systems for financial records
- Offer refresher training on financial reporting standards
- KRImplement collaborative tools and processes to increase efficiency by 25%
- Research and select collaborative tools suited for our operations
- Monitor usage and productivity weekly for improvements
- Develop and deliver thorough training on chosen tools
- KRReduce processing cost of partnership transactions by 15%
- Implement automated systems for streamlined partnership transactions
- Negotiate lower fee rates with third-party payment processors
- Optimize operational processes to increase transactional efficiency
4. OKRs to achieve significant reduction in operations cost
- ObjectiveAchieve significant reduction in operations cost
- KRDecrease monthly overhead expenses by at least 10%
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary services or subscriptions
- Negotiate lower costs with vendors or suppliers
- Implement energy-efficient practices in office operations
- KRProcure 20% of materials from lower-cost suppliers without compromising quality
- Transition 20% of orders to selected suppliers
- Conduct sample tests to ensure material quality
- Identify potential lower-cost suppliers with high-quality materials
- KRImplement automation in 3 operations processes to save labor cost
- Identify 3 operations processes suitable for automation
- Research and select suitable automation software
- Train staff on new automation tools
5. OKRs to embed GenAI into business operations for improved innovation and expertise
- ObjectiveEmbed GenAI into business operations for improved innovation and expertise
- KRShow a 10% increase in operational efficiency with the utilization of GenAI
- Regularly measure and track efficiency improvements
- Train employees on GenAI efficiency features
- Implement GenAI software in daily operations
- KRAchieve 70% employee participation in GenAI training sessions or workshops
- Develop engaging and relevant GenAI workshop content
- Deploy regular, clear communication about training sessions
- Establish an incentive system for training participation
- KRImplement GenAI into at least two existing business processes or operations
- Purchase and install the necessary GenAI software suite
- Train teams on using GenAI within those processes
- Identify two business processes that would benefit from GenAI
6. OKRs to establish comprehensive control mechanisms across all operations
- ObjectiveEstablish comprehensive control mechanisms across all operations
- KRTrain 100% of team members in control procedures to ensure company-wide adoption
- Identify specific control procedures requiring team member training
- Check and confirm each member's procedure proficiency
- Arrange training sessions for all team members
- KRImplement control processes in 5 distinct operational areas, assessed for effectiveness
- Regularly evaluate control processes' effectiveness
- Identify 5 operational areas needing control processes
- Develop and implement suitable control measures
- KRReduce operational inconsistencies by 40% through the newly implemented control mechanisms
- Identify inconsistencies in current operations
- Gradually implement control mechanisms to rectify inconsistencies
- Review and familiarize with new control mechanisms
7. OKRs to establish and launch an AI team for OTA operations
- ObjectiveEstablish and launch an AI team for OTA operations
- KRRecruit 5 skilled AI professionals by the end of the quarter
- Post targeted job listings across tech industry platforms
- Conduct rigorous interviews and skill assessments
- Outline specific qualifications necessary in ideal candidates
- KRDemo a pilot version of the AI solution to stakeholders
- Arrange a demo meeting with all key stakeholders
- Prepare a comprehensive presentation of the AI solution's capabilities
- Collect and analyze feedback post-demonstration
- KRIdentify and initiate at least 1 AI project relevant to OTA industry
- Propose a relevant, feasible AI project
- Start initial project planning and development
- Identify areas where AI could improve OTA industry operations
8. OKRs to enhance marketing and operations efficiency at the center
- ObjectiveEnhance marketing and operations efficiency at the center
- KRReduce marketing overhead costs by 20%
- Implement digital marketing strategies to reduce traditional advertising costs
- Consolidate marketing vendors to achieve economies of scale
- Streamline project management processes within the marketing team
- KRAchieve a 15% increase in generated leads through optimized marketing strategies
- Tailor content to audience using analytics data
- Implement A/B testing for all marketing campaigns
- Enhance SEO techniques to improve online presence
- KRImprove operational processing speed by 25%
- Provide staff training on efficiency and speed-enhancing techniques
- Streamline processes, eliminate redundancies or bottlenecks
- Implement latest high-speed software in operational processes
9. OKRs to broaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
- ObjectiveBroaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
- KRAttend two professional seminars or webinars focused on the agent's role in the business
- Register for two chosen professional seminars or webinars
- Attend and actively participate in these webinars
- Research upcoming webinars focused on the agent's role in business
- KRConduct informational interviews with five business agents to gain first-hand information
- Schedule and conduct interviews with selected agents
- Identify five business agents relevant to the project
- Draft insightful questions to ask during interviews
- KRComplete three agent case studies with cross-industry analysis by quarter-end
- Identify three agent cases from diverse industries for study
- Compile findings and complete final report by quarter-end
- Perform a detailed cross-industry analysis on chosen case studies
10. OKRs to instill a high-performance culture in Finance Operations
- ObjectiveInstill a high-performance culture in Finance Operations
- KRElevate employee job satisfaction rate to 90% via targeted development programs
- Initiate regular feedback sessions to identify employee issues and concerns
- Implement rewards and recognition system to acknowledge outstanding performance
- Develop tailored training programs focusing on employee skill enhancement
- KRReduce financial reporting errors by 15% to ensure accuracy
- Provide staff with additional training on financial reporting
- Adopt automated financial reporting software to minimize manual errors
- Implement a double-checking system for all financial reports
- KRIncrease department's monthly revenue by 10% through process efficiencies
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary processes in the workflow
- Train staff on new, streamlined procedures
- Implement more efficient, cost-saving technology
Operations 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 Operations 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 Operations OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to enhance the organization's information technology efficiency and security OKRs to enhance organisational work transparency for improved efficiency OKRs to improve the Disaster Recover process OKRs to enhance quality control to bolster cash flow OKRs to successfully launch a venture capital fund OKRs to enhance brand visibility and interaction across social media networks