What are Business Operations OKRs?
The OKR acronym stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s, and it became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s. OKRs helps teams has a shared language to set ambitious goals and track progress towards them.
Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Business 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.
How to write your own Business Operations OKRs
Option 1. Turn ideas into OKRs with Tability AI
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.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
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's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability 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.
Option 3. 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.
Business Operations OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Business Operations. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to gain comprehensive knowledge about the agency operations in business
ObjectiveGain comprehensive knowledge about the agency operations in business
KRComplete three different business agency related online courses by top institutes
Research and select three top-rated business agency online courses- Regularly study and complete each course
- Enroll in the selected online courses
- KRConduct informational interviews with five successful business agents
- Identify five successful business agents for interviews
- Schedule and conduct the individual interviews
- Prepare relevant questions regarding their business success
- KRRead and comprehend 10 agency-based business case studies and summarize learnings
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
OKRs to enhance risk management and business support systems
- ObjectiveEnhance risk management and business support systems
- KRDevelop action plans to minimize identified risks by 25%
- Identify potential risks within the current operations
- Develop strategies to counteract each identified risk
- Implement these strategies effectively at all operational levels
- KRImprove 3 current business support strategies based on risk analysis results
- Optimize existing contingency plans using risk analytics results
- Revise support strategy based on highest probable risks
- Implement risk mitigation tactics based on identified vulnerabilities
- KRImplement a risk identification process for 80% of business operations areas
- Define the scope of business operations for risk assessment
- Conduct risk identification training for employees
- Develop risk identification strategies for specified areas
OKRs to amplify efficiency and scalability of Business Operations' internal processes
- ObjectiveAmplify efficiency and scalability of Business Operations' internal processes
- KRIncrease team's operational efficiency by 25% through process automation and training
- KRReduce operational delays and errors by 30% via enhanced internal quality controls
- Monitor and assess performance for continuous improvement
- Train employees on revised operational procedures
- Implement stringent quality control checks at each stage
- KRExpand the volume capacity by 20% through better resource allocation and staffing strategies
- Review current resource allocation for efficiency improvements
- Implement optimal staffing strategies to increase productivity
- Source additional resources to accommodate 20% volume increase
OKRs to expand business operations while ensuring economic sustainability and profitability
- ObjectiveExpand business operations while ensuring economic sustainability and profitability
- KRIncrease net profit margin by 15% through cost management and optimization strategies
- Negotiate with suppliers for lower purchasing prices
- Eliminate unnecessary expenses and wasteful processes
- Implement energy efficiency measures to reduce utility costs
- KRImprove operational efficiency by 20% with technology-based process enhancements
- Upgrade existing technology to newer, more efficient models
- Implement automated workflow software for routine processes
- Train employees on utilizing technology for increased productivity
- KRGain 10 new high value contracts to diversify company revenue streams
- Directive focused negotiation and closing of 10 high-value contracts
- Develop personalized pitch proposals for each targeted client
- Identify and target 15 potential high-value clients in diverse industries
OKRs to establish a consulting business
- ObjectiveEstablish a consulting business
- KRAttain a net profit margin of 25% or higher
- Increase sales revenue through targeted marketing campaigns and customer acquisition strategies
- Analyze pricing structures and adjust product or service pricing to maximize profitability
- Streamline business operations to reduce overhead costs and improve efficiency
- Implement cost-cutting measures and negotiate better supplier contracts to boost net profit margin
- KRDevelop and implement a marketing strategy to generate consistent leads
- Implement email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and drive conversions
- Create engaging content and optimize website for search engine visibility
- Conduct market research to identify target audience and their preferences
- Utilize social media platforms to reach and engage with potential leads
- KRSecure at least 3 clients within the target industry
- Develop a compelling value proposition to effectively pitch to potential clients
- Identify potential clients within the target industry through market research
- Offer a limited-time discount or incentive to encourage clients to sign up
- Reach out to potential clients through personalized emails or phone calls
- KRAchieve a 90% satisfaction rate in client feedback surveys
- Streamline survey process for clients
- Implement necessary changes based on client feedback to improve overall satisfaction
- Identify and address common issues highlighted in client feedback
- Actively seek feedback from clients through various channels
OKRs to maximise profits from current business operations
- ObjectiveMaximise profits from current business operations
- KRIncrease annual sales by 15%
- Improving customer retention through excellent services
- Implement marketing strategies to attract new customers
- Launch new, in-demand products to increase sales volume
- KRUpsell or cross-sell to existing clients to increase per-client revenue by 10%
- Develop customized promotion or discount plans for existing clients
- Analyze clients' purchasing patterns to identify upselling opportunities
- Train staff on effective cross-selling techniques
- KRCut down operational costs by minimum 7%
- Implement energy-saving strategies to reduce utility expenses
- Streamline processes to increase efficiency and decrease wasted resources
- Renegotiate contracts with suppliers for better pricing
OKRs to establish a comprehensive Operational Excellence Program
- ObjectiveEstablish a comprehensive Operational Excellence Program
- KRAchieve a 15% increase in overall operational efficiency metrics by quarter end
- Train workforce in lean management for optimized performance
- Implement technological upgrades to optimize production processes
- Regularly review and streamline workflow processes
- KRIdentify and document 20 potential business processes for optimization
- Prioritize processes for potential optimization
- Review existing operations and identify 20 optimization possibilities
- Document each process in detail, noting inefficiencies
- KRImplement operational improvements in at least 5 identified business processes
- Develop strategies for operational enhancements
- Identify 5 business processes needing improvement
- Implement improved processes in those identified areas
OKRs to boost sustainable growth and profitability of the business
- ObjectiveBoost sustainable growth and profitability of the business
- KRReduce operational costs by 10% through efficiency improvements
- Implement energy-saving measures in all company facilities
- Streamline processes to eliminate non-value-adding activities
- Invest in cost-effective, high-efficiency equipment
- KRGrow customer base by 20% with green initiatives
- Host community events showcasing company's commitment to sustainability
- Develop a marketing campaign focusing on company's environmental efforts
- Implement a customer rewards program for eco-friendly purchasing decisions
- KRIncrease net profit margin by 15%
- Evaluate pricing strategies, increase price where appropriate
- Improve operational efficiency to reduce waste
- Implement cost-cutting measures for overhead expenses
OKRs to scale the team by hiring and onboarding key talent to support business expansion
- ObjectiveExpand the business by scaling the team with quality personnel
- KRHire and onboard 3 experienced sales executives
- KREnhance team diversity by 20% via targeted recruitment strategy
- KRReduce time-to-fill open positions by 50% through process improvement
- KRRecruit and integrate 2 seasoned marketing specialists
Business 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
Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your 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
Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.
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 Business Operations OKRs
Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs 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 Business Operations OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to elevate cloud efficiency and scalability within budgetary limits
- OKRs to boost the company's overall revenue
- OKRs to boost customer loyalty and revenue through increased site traffic
- OKRs to strengthen cybersecurity governance and ensure compliance
- OKRs to successfully complete the end of 1st - 9 weeks
- OKRs to launch machine learning product on website