Cross-Functional · Playbook · Intermediate · Saves 35+ hours
OKR Writing Guide
A guide for writing effective OKRs.
What's included
- Objective writing principles
- Key result formulation
- Common mistakes
- Quality checklist
- Examples by function
- Refinement process
Best used when
- Training teams on OKR writing
- Reviewing draft OKRs
- Improving OKR quality
- New manager onboarding
Why this is Gold
Bad OKRs are worse than none. This guide teaches the art of writing OKRs that drive results.
The template
The Template
WRITING OKRS
Objective Writing
OBJECTIVE FORMULA
[ACTION VERB] + [WHAT] + [OUTCOME/IMPACT]
EXAMPLES:
✓ "Launch product that delights customers"
✓ "Build a sales engine that scales"
✓ "Create a culture of continuous learning"
✗ "Increase revenue by 20%" (this is a KR)
✗ "Complete the roadmap" (output, not outcome)
✗ "Make customers happy" (too vague)
Key Result Writing
KEY RESULT FORMULA
[METRIC] from [CURRENT] to [TARGET]
or
[ACHIEVE] [MEASURABLE OUTCOME]
EXAMPLES:
✓ "Increase NPS from 32 to 50"
✓ "Reduce churn from 5% to 3%"
✓ "Launch in 3 new markets"
✗ "Improve customer satisfaction" (not measurable)
✗ "Complete redesign project" (output, not outcome)
✗ "Work on performance" (activity, not result)
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too many OKRs | Diluted focus | 3-5 per level |
| All KRs = 1.0 | Too easy | Stretch more |
| Activity-based | Effort vs. outcome | Focus on results |
| Sandbagging | Gaming system | Culture change |
Frequently asked questions
What is the OKR Writing Guide?
A guide for writing effective OKRs.
Who is the OKR Writing Guide for?
It is built for Cross-Functionals and their teams working on Planning. The AI coach adapts it to your company, stage, and goals.
How long does the OKR Writing Guide take to use?
It saves roughly 35+ hours versus building from scratch. Our AI coach can tailor the playbook to your situation in minutes, then hand you a step-by-step plan.
Is the OKR Writing Guide free?
Yes. You can read the full playbook and start getting coached through it for free. Sign in to save your tailored version and track your next steps.
How does the AI coach help with the OKR Writing Guide?
The coach teaches you the framework, asks a few questions about your business, tailors the playbook to you, and gives you measurable next steps to execute.