A Typical OKR Cycle (original) (raw)

Let’s assume you are setting OKRs at the company, team, and contributor levels. Larger companies may have additional levels.

4 to 6 weeks before quarter

Brainstorm Annual and Q1 OKRs for Company

• Senior leaders start brainstorming top-line company OKRs.
• If you’re setting OKRs for Q1, this is also the time to set your annual plan, which can help guide the direction of company.

2 weeks before quarter

Communicate Company-wide OKRs for Upcoming Year and Q1

• Finalize company OKRs and communicate them to everyone.

Start of quarter

Communicate Team Q1 OKRs

• Based on the company’s OKRs, teams develop their own OKRs and share them at their meetings.

1 week after start of quarter

Share Employee Q1 OKRs

• One week after team OKRs are communicated, contributors share their own OKRs.
• This may require negotiation between contributors and their managers, typically in 1:1 settings.

Throughout quarter

Employees Track Progress and Check-in

• Throughout the quarter, employees measure and share their progress, checking in regularly with their managers.
• Periodically through the quarter, contributors assess how likely they are to fully achieve their OKRs.
• If attainment appears unlikely, they may need to recalibrate.

Near end of quarter

Employees Reflect and Score Q1 OKRs

• Toward the end of the quarter, contributors score their OKRs, perform a self-assessment, and reflect on what they have accomplished.

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