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tability.ioWhat are Continuous Improvement 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.
Writing good OKRs can be hard, especially if it's your first time doing it. You'll need to center the focus of your plans around outcomes instead of projects.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Continuous Improvement to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Continuous Improvement OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Continuous Improvement Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to enhance continuous improvement processes
ObjectiveEnhance continuous improvement processes
KRImplement 3 new process improvements based on feedback and data analysis
Identify key problems from the feedback and data analysis- Implement and monitor the new processes
- Develop three process improvement strategies
- KRTrain all team members on Lean principles to promote a culture of improvement
- Distribute Lean principles educational materials to team members
- Monitor and assess team members' understanding of Lean principles
- Organize Lean principles training sessions for the team
- KRIncrease feedback collection by 20% through surveys and feedback loops
- Implement feedback loops on all digital platforms
- Develop and distribute engaging customer satisfaction surveys
- Promote survey participation through incentives
OKRs to foster continuous improvement culture in production team
- ObjectiveFoster continuous improvement culture in production team
- KRIncrease production team engagement in suggesting improvement ideas by 30%
- Provide training on successful idea generation techniques
- Implement a rewards system for valuable improvement suggestions
- Conduct weekly brainstorming sessions for innovative ideas
- KRAchieve a 20% reduction in production errors utilizing improvement techniques
- Train staff regularly on error prevention strategies
- Update and fine-tune production machinery for precision
- Implement strict quality control processes on production lines
- KRImplement weekly training sessions covering different improvement methodologies by end of quarter
- Identify relevant improvement methodologies for training
- Schedule and communicate the training sessions
- Design engaging weekly training curriculums
OKRs to enhance wire harnesses through prototyping and continuous improvement
- ObjectiveEnhance wire harnesses through prototyping and continuous improvement
- KRPrototype 3 new designs of automotive wire harnesses for testing
- Arrange testing and data collection process on prototypes
- Sketch initial concepts for 3 different automotive wire harness designs
- Develop physical prototypes based on finalized design sketches
- KRReduce wire harness production defects by 20%
- Provide comprehensive training on wire harness assembly
- Implement routine quality checks during production
- Purchase upgraded, precision manufacturing equipment
- KRIncrease process efficiency to reduce production time by 15%
- Optimize workflow by identifying and removing unnecessary steps
- Train staff in lean manufacturing techniques
- Implement time-tracking software for accurate productivity assessment
OKRs to drive Agile Culture and Continuous Improvement
- ObjectiveDrive Agile Culture and Continuous Improvement
- KRIncrease employee engagement by 15% through the use of feedback loops and open communication channels
- KRIncrease team agility by implementing Scrum methodology and conducting regular retrospectives
- Train team members on Scrum principles and methodology through workshops and coaching sessions
- Adapt sprint planning sessions to prioritize tasks and assign them according to team members' strengths
- Implement Scrum artifacts like backlog, user stories, and Sprint boards to enhance team agility
- Conduct weekly retrospectives to reflect on previous sprints and identify areas of improvement
- KRImplement an employee recognition program to encourage and reward continuous improvement efforts
- KRAchieve a 20% decrease in time-to-market for new product releases through streamlined processes
OKRs to minimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- ObjectiveMinimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- KRIncrease operational efficiency by 15% through the utilisation of lean methodologies
- Train team in lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles
- Continuously monitor, measure and adjust for improved efficiency
- Implement lean tools, such as 5S, to optimize processes
- KRImplement at least 3 cost-saving initiatives within various departments
- Develop and present cost-saving initiative proposals
- Identify potential cost-saving areas in different departments
- Implement selected cost-saving strategies in respective departments
- KRAchieve a 10% reduction in total operational costs without compromising output quality
- Negotiate lower prices with vendors
- Implement lean processes to reduce waste
- Evaluate and optimize energy usage for cost efficiency
OKRs to foster continuous improvement on Engineering metrics
- ObjectiveFoster continuous improvement on Engineering metrics
- KRAchieve a 10% increase in team's average productivity metrics
- Introduce incentives for meeting or surpassing productivity goals
- Implement training sessions to improve skills and efficiency
- Optimize workflow by eliminating unnecessary procedures
- KRImplement weekly trend analysis reports for every team member
- Schedule and distribute weekly trend analysis to each team member
- Establish report templates to track weekly trends for each team
- Automate data collection and trend analysis processes
- KRReduce error rates in engineering processes by 15%
- Enhance quality control and testing procedures
- Regularly review and improve existing engineering processes
- Implement training programs to update engineering knowledge and skills
OKRs to increase automation and drive continuous improvement
- ObjectiveIncrease automation and drive continuous improvement
- KRConduct bi-weekly team meetings to identify and implement improvement opportunities
- Implement the identified improvement opportunities
- Schedule bi-weekly team meetings
- Identify improvement opportunities during meetings
- KRImplement automation tools for at least 3 manual processes in the department
- Research and select appropriate automation tools
- Identify 3 manual processes suitable for automation
- Implement and test selected automation tools
- KRReduce average response time by 20% through process improvements
- Regularly monitor and analyze response time data
- Streamline the response process via automation
- Implement efficiency training for the customer service team
OKRs to foster open communication and continual improvement within the team
- ObjectiveFoster open communication and continual improvement within the team
- KRAchieve a 25% increase in actionable suggestions from team members
- Enhance communication channels for suggestions
- Conduct regular brainstorming sessions with team
- Implement a reward system for valuable suggestions
- KREnsure 100% of team members participate in at least one feedback session
- Track and confirm each member's participation
- Create a schedule for mandatory feedback sessions
- Inform team members about the feedback sessions
- KRConduct 8 team feedback sessions focused on insight sharing and improvement ideas
- Schedule 8 team feedback sessions for idea sharing
- Evaluate and implement suggestions for improvement after sessions
- Prepare a structured format for insight exchange
OKRs to increase efficiency and effectiveness of product development through continuous process improvement
- ObjectiveIncrease efficiency and effectiveness of product development through continuous process improvement
- KRAchieve a customer satisfaction rating of 90% by addressing product development pain points and enhancing quality
- KRDecrease resource wastage by 10% through optimized resource allocation and utilization
- Identify and prioritize areas where resource wastage is currently occurring
- Monitor and track resource usage regularly to ensure ongoing reduction in wastage
- Implement streamlined processes and systems to improve resource allocation and utilization efficiency
- Conduct a thorough assessment of current resource allocation and utilization practices
- KRIncrease the percentage of successful product launches by 15% through improved workflows and collaboration
- Foster cross-functional collaboration through regular team meetings and knowledge sharing sessions
- Conduct a thorough analysis of existing workflows to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies
- Implement a project management tool to streamline communication and task tracking
- Establish a feedback loop with stakeholders to continuously improve product launch processes
- KRReduce product development cycle time by 20% through streamlined processes and automation
OKRs to drive continuous improvement in performance and efficiency
- ObjectiveDrive continuous improvement in performance and efficiency
- KRImplement at least two new process improvement initiatives
- Implement and monitor these new initiatives for effectiveness
- Design and develop two new process improvement initiatives
- Identify areas in existing procedures that require improvement
- KRIncrease team productivity by 15% without sacrificing quality
- Promote regular breaks to avoid work burnout
- Enhance communication through weekly team meetings
- Implement efficient project management tools for better task tracking
- KRLower error rates across key processes by 20%
- Review and improve existing process guidelines
- Implement regular training programs for process optimization
- Identify key processes with highest error rates
How to write your own Continuous Improvement OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
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.
Continuous Improvement 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
The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the 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
Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.
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 Continuous Improvement 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
We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
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 Continuous Improvement OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance management of billable target and team's learning needs
- OKRs to improve engineering performance and reliability
- OKRs to streamline onboard services for robust engagement environment
- OKRs to strengthen strategic alignment across all business units
- OKRs to tackle technical debt
- OKRs to improve management of hourly budget per work order