6 OKR examples for Business Understanding

What are Business Understanding 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.

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 Understanding 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 Business Understanding 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.

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.

AI feedback for OKRs in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

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 Business Understanding OKRs examples

You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Business Understanding. 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!

1OKRs to enhance understanding of business requirements

  • ObjectiveEnhance understanding of business requirements
  • KRComplete 3 online courses about business requirements analysis and documentation
  • TaskDiligently complete all course materials and assessments
  • TaskIdentify suitable online courses in business requirements analysis
  • TaskRegister for three chosen online courses
  • KRConduct 5 cross-departmental informational interviews per month
  • TaskConduct and document the informational interviews
  • TaskIdentify five potential interviewees across various departments
  • TaskSchedule and plan the interviews
  • KRCreate checklist for comprehensive business requirement gathering in 2 weeks
  • TaskDesign draft of business requirement checklist
  • TaskIdentify key stakeholders for business requirement gathering
  • TaskEstablish critical business needs and objectives
Tability

2OKRs to swiftly comprehending and mastering the company's business and workflow

  • ObjectiveSwiftly comprehending and mastering the company's business and workflow
  • KRAttend and actively participate in at least three departmental meetings per week
  • TaskActively participate in discussions during the meetings
  • TaskSchedule three department meetings in your calendar weekly
  • TaskRead agenda prior to each meeting and prepare questions
  • KRMaster key company software or tools by completing online training with a 90% score
  • TaskIdentify relevant online training for key company software
  • TaskComplete these training courses diligently
  • TaskAchieve a minimum of 90% score in all courses
  • KRComplete all assigned business projects with a 95% success rate
  • TaskRegularly monitor and review progress
  • TaskPrioritize projects based on deadline and difficulty
  • TaskAllocate resources and personnel efficiently

3OKRs to enhance understanding of royalty structures in business contexts

  • ObjectiveEnhance understanding of royalty structures in business contexts
  • KRInterview 3 professionals in the field of royalties in businesses
  • TaskDraft relevant interview questions tailored for each professional
  • TaskIdentify three professionals in the royalties business field
  • TaskSchedule and conduct the three interviews
  • KRRead and summarise 5 books related to business royalties
  • TaskWrite a concise summary for each book
  • TaskSelect and procure 5 relevant books about business royalties
  • TaskCarefully read and interpret each book
  • KRDevelop and present a detailed report on the role of royalties in business
  • TaskPrepare a presentation highlighting report findings
  • TaskResearch the significance and mechanism of royalties in business
  • TaskCompile gathered data into a comprehensive report

4OKRs 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
  • TaskRegister for two chosen professional seminars or webinars
  • TaskAttend and actively participate in these webinars
  • TaskResearch upcoming webinars focused on the agent's role in business
  • KRConduct informational interviews with five business agents to gain first-hand information
  • TaskSchedule and conduct interviews with selected agents
  • TaskIdentify five business agents relevant to the project
  • TaskDraft insightful questions to ask during interviews
  • KRComplete three agent case studies with cross-industry analysis by quarter-end
  • TaskIdentify three agent cases from diverse industries for study
  • TaskCompile findings and complete final report by quarter-end
  • TaskPerform a detailed cross-industry analysis on chosen case studies

5OKRs to accelerate understanding and mastery of company's business and processes

  • ObjectiveAccelerate understanding and mastery of company's business and processes
  • KRGain necessary certification or validation, if any, related to the business operations by Week 6
  • KRComplete onboarding process and training modules with 100% score by end of Week 2
  • TaskReview the onboarding process and training module guidelines thoroughly
  • TaskPractice modules daily to maintain knowledge retention
  • TaskEnsure completion and master all assessments by Week 2
  • KRDemonstrate understanding by identifying and proposing improvements to existing workflow by Week 4
  • TaskAnalyze current workflow for potential inefficiencies
  • TaskDevelop concrete suggestions for workflow improvements
  • TaskPresent proposed changes by Week 4

6OKRs to acquire comprehensive understanding of various companies' missions

  • ObjectiveAcquire comprehensive understanding of various companies' missions
  • KRRead and analyze mission statements from 50 different industries each week
  • TaskObtain mission statements from each industry
  • TaskCompile a list of 50 different industries
  • TaskSchedule weekly sessions to read and analyze statements
  • KRConduct four in-depth case studies on companies with unique missions monthly
  • TaskIdentify four companies with unique missions
  • TaskResearch company background and specifics
  • TaskCompile findings into comprehensive case studies
  • KRParticipate in two webinars or relevant industry events every month
  • TaskSchedule and register for two relevant events
  • TaskAttend and actively participate in webinars/events
  • TaskResearch upcoming webinars or industry events in your field

Business Understanding 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 Understanding 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:

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.

A strategy map in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

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 Understanding OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.