OKRs (objectives and key results) are a goal-setting method in which a qualitative objective says where the team wants to go and 2 to 5 key results show, with numbers, whether it got there. A key result measures a change in customer or business behaviour, not a task. At the end of the cycle each key result gets a score from 0.0 to 1.0, read differently for committed and aspirational OKRs.
How to use
- Write the objective with no numbers and choose whether the OKR is committed or aspirational.
- Optionally add the owning team and the cycle period.
- List 2 to 5 key results with baseline, target, unit and deadline.
- Generate the document and read the warnings: key results with no number, key results that are tasks, objectives with a metric.
- Use the scoring guide when the cycle closes and export as PDF, DOCX or Markdown.
What each field asks for
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Objective | Qualitative and inspiring: where the team wants to get to, with no numbers. |
| OKR type | Committed: the expectation is 100%. Aspirational: reaching 70% is already good. |
| Team (optional) | Who owns the OKR. Use the team name, not people. |
| Period (optional) | The OKR cycle, usually a quarter. |
| Key result | E.g. reduce the average close time per client |
| Baseline | Current, starting value. |
| Target | Value worth a score of 1.0. |
| Unit | E.g. days, %, points |
| Deadline | E.g. 31 Mar 2027 |
Example
A fictional bank reconciliation team sets the objective "make month-end close simple for small accounting firms", aspirational, for Q1 2027. Three key results have a baseline and target: reduce the close from 6 to 3 days (a 0.7 score matches 3.9 days), increase automatic reconciliation from 55% to 80% (0.7 = 72.5%) and raise client firms' NPS from 22 to 35 points. The fourth, "launch the integration with three more banks", is flagged as a task with no number, and the tool suggests measuring the effect of the integration rather than the delivery.
When to use
- In quarterly planning, to turn strategy into goals the team can track.
- When current OKRs have become delivery lists and nobody can say whether they worked.
- To review another team's draft before the alignment meeting.
- When the cycle closes, to score each key result with the same criterion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an objective and a key result?
The objective is qualitative and says where the team wants to go. The key result is quantitative and shows whether it got there: it has a baseline, target, unit and deadline. A number inside the objective usually means it is really a key result.
How many key results per objective?
Between 2 and 5. A single one leaves the objective hostage to a metric that can be pushed on its own; more than five dilute focus. The tool warns you when you go over the limit.
Why is "launch X" a poor key result?
Because it measures delivery, not outcome. The team can launch on time without changing anything for the customer. Ask what should change once X is ready and measure that; the launch becomes an initiative under the key result.
How does the 0.0 to 1.0 score work?
The score is the fraction of the way from baseline to target: (current value - baseline) ÷ (target - baseline), capped between 0 and 1. The guide shows the exact value that matches 0.3, 0.7 and 1.0 for each key result.
What is the difference between committed and aspirational OKRs?
With a committed OKR, the team commits to delivering 1.0, and a lower score calls for an explanation. With an aspirational OKR, the target is deliberately bold, and 0.6 to 0.7 is already a good result. Mixing the two without saying so muddles how scores are read.
Are OKRs the same as individual performance goals?
No. OKRs work best as team goals and should not be used to appraise people, because that pushes everyone towards easy targets. That is why the tool asks for the owning team, never a person's name.
What does the AI do in this generator?
When it is switched on, it suggests a version of the objective and key results in outcome language, keeping your numbers. Without AI, the document is complete with rule-based checks and rewriting tips.