10 OKR examples for Project Lead
What are Project Lead 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.
Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Project Lead 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.
3 tools to create the perfect Project Lead OKRs
Turn your vision into great OKRs in seconds with Tability
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.
Already got goals? Use AI feedback to optimise your OKRs
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.
Need a quick template? Use the free OKR generator
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 Project Lead OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Project Lead 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 cultivate exceptional leadership character traits
- ObjectiveCultivate exceptional leadership character traits
- KRImplement learned skills in three real projects, receiving positive feedback on each
- Seek and incorporate feedback from project stakeholders
- Replicate process for subsequent two projects
- Apply learned skills on first project
- KRComplete two leadership development courses with a score of 90% or higher
- Research and select two relevant leadership development courses
- Commit to regular study to comprehend course material
- Take final assessments aiming for 90% score or higher
- KROrganize five workshops to teach, gather feedback and improve leadership traits
- Identify potential experts to lead leadership workshops
- Develop workshop curriculum based on leadership traits
- Plan a comprehensive feedback collection system
2. OKRs to secure a leadership role within the company
- ObjectiveSecure a leadership role within the company
- KRSuccessfully lead three major projects to completion with positive feedback
- Identify key objectives for each of the three major projects
- Monitor progress, address issues and ensure all projects meet/exceed expectations
- Assign responsibilities and establish timelines for project completion
- KRAchieve a score of 90% or above in internal leadership competency assessment
- Practice situational leadership through role play activities
- Review past assessment feedback and identify areas for improvement
- Attend relevant training workshops for boosting leadership skills
- KRAttend and actively participate in at least four leadership training workshops
- Complete post-workshop assignments or takeaways for review
- Schedule time for active participation in each workshop
- Research and register for four relevant leadership training workshops
3. OKRs to enhance leadership abilities for a novice team lead
- ObjectiveEnhance leadership abilities for a novice team lead
- KRDemonstrate improvement by leading 2 successful projects by the end of next quarter
- Identify and clearly define two potential leadership projects
- Develop a comprehensive, deadline-oriented action plan for each
- Execute, manage, and monitor progress for both projects effectively
- KRAchieve a mean feedback score of 4+ from team members in leadership effectiveness
- Improve communication and decision-making skills
- Implement a regular and effective leadership training program
- Solicit and apply feedback from team members
- KRComplete a certified leadership training course by quarter-end
- Research and select a certified leadership training course
- Enroll in the chosen leadership training course
- Complete the training course and obtain certification
4. OKRs to cultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- ObjectiveCultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- KRIdentify 10 potential leaders through proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Select 10 potential leaders from results
- Research proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Apply methodologies to identify potential leaders
- KRSubstantiate 5 new emergent ideas proposed by the identified leaders
- Research the feasibility and potential impact of the new ideas
- Arrange meetings with the leaders to discuss their proposed ideas
- Prepare detailed reports supporting these emergent concepts
- KRAchieve a 20% increase in innovative project implementations lead by these leaders
- Implement training programs focused on innovation
- Encourage risk-taking and idea experimentation
- Organize regular creative brainstorming sessions with leaders
5. OKRs to enhance contribution to project outcomes
- ObjectiveEnhance contribution to project outcomes
- KRSuccessfully lead 2 improvement initiatives that boost the project's effectiveness
- Develop effective strategies to strengthen these areas
- Identify 2 areas within the project requiring improvement
- Implement these strategies and track progress
- KRComplete 90% of assigned tasks ahead of allocated deadlines
- Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and complexity
- Constantly review and adjust timeline if necessary
- Design a daily schedule focusing on high-priority tasks
- KRAchieve a 20% increase in positive feedback from project stakeholders
- Seek guidance and feedback from stakeholders continually
- Implement regular communication with stakeholders for updates
- Improve project deliverables based on feedback received
6. OKRs to to excel in autonomous project management
- ObjectiveTo excel in autonomous project management
- KRComplete 100% of projects within the designated timeframe and budget
- Prioritize projects based on deadlines and budget parameters
- Consistently monitor progress towards project goals
- Efficiently manage resources and time allocation
- KRImplement 3 new innovative project management methods to improve efficiency
- Research latest innovative project management methodologies
- Select and plan implementation of three methods
- Train staff on new techniques and monitor efficiency impacts
- KRImprove project success rate by 20% through streamlined decision making
- Review and revise current project management processes
- Invest in decision-making training for project leads
- Implement a clear decision-making hierarchy within project teams
7. OKRs to enhance collaboration and stimulate thought leadership
- ObjectiveEnhance collaboration and stimulate thought leadership
- KRConduct 4 leadership training workshops to foster thought leadership
- Identify topics and designing the content for the leadership workshops
- Coordinate with facilitators and arranging the necessary resources
- Send invitations and schedule the four leadership training workshops
- KRImplement 5 successful cross-functional projects to boost team collaborations
- Develop clear communication guidelines and timelines
- Identify and assign cross-functional team members for each project
- Establish metrics for success and regular progress checks
- KRIncrease the average audience engagement rate on team discussions by 20%
- Implement interactive activities during team discussions
- Incorporate feedback sessions post-discussions
- Provide comprehensive training for engagement techniques
8. OKRs to enhance and exemplify effective leadership skills
- ObjectiveEnhance and exemplify effective leadership skills
- KRLead a team project, achieving goals within outlined budget and time constraints
- Regularly monitor progress and adjust strategies if needed
- Develop a detailed, efficient budget plan
- Establish clear project objectives and timeline
- KRGather 360° feedback from 10 colleagues to identify and improve leadership weaknesses
- Identify 10 colleagues for feedback collection
- Analyze feedback and create an improvement plan
- Prepare a 360-degree feedback survey
- KRComplete a recognized leadership training course with a score above 85%
- Aim to achieve assessment scores above 85%
- Plan and maintain regular study schedule
- Research and enroll in a reputable leadership training course
9. OKRs to establish robust autonomy and project management systems
- ObjectiveEstablish robust autonomy and project management systems
- KRTrain 70% of the team members in autonomous decision-making and problem-solving
- Identify team members needing autonomous decision-making training
- Develop an effective training program on decision-making
- Implement and monitor the training for select team members
- KRImplement a suitable project management software for 100% of ongoing projects
- Train staff on new software usage
- Research various project management software options
- Purchase and install chosen project management software
- KRAchieve 30% reduction in project deadline delays due to better management control
- Provide staff with targeted management training
- Establish daily progress tracking system
- Implement standardized project management procedures
10. OKRs to ensure consistent project progress
- ObjectiveEnsure consistent project progress
- KRReduce project milestone delays by 15%
- Increase communication and collaboration among team members
- Regularly monitor and update task progression
- Implement a consistent, detailed project schedule
- KRIncrease weekly deliverables completion rate by 20%
- Review existing workflows for areas of inefficiency
- Implement deadline reminders and progress check-ins
- Provide training for enhanced productivity tools
- KRImprove team communication efficiency by optimizing weekly meetings
- Allocate specific speaking time to each participant
- Implement clear post-meeting follow-up procedures
- Develop clear, concise agenda for each weekly meeting
Project Lead 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 Project Lead OKRs
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
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
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 Project Lead OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
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