2 Cost Monitoring OKR examples with initiatives

Write perfect OKRs with Tability AI – try it free with 5k credits

Use Tability to generate OKRs and initiatives in seconds.

What are Cost Monitoring 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 Cost Monitoring 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.

Cost Monitoring OKRs examples

You will find in the next section many different Cost Monitoring 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 secure optimal pricing from third-party vendors

ObjectiveSecure optimal pricing from third-party vendors
KRIdentify and initiate discussions with 3 new lower-cost vendors
Kickstart negotiations around cost and terms with each potential vendor
Research and list potential lower-cost vendors in marketplace
Reach out to each vendor for initial consultation or pitch
KRImplement cost monitoring system for real-time tracking of vendor pricing
Initiate real-time tracking of vendor pricing
Research and choose suitable cost monitoring software
Train staff on using the software for price tracking
KRNegotiate with 5 existing vendors to lower costs by 10%
Identify and review current contracts with the five existing vendors
Prepare a clear, compelling case for cost reduction with supporting data
Initiate negotiation meetings with each vendor to discuss cost lowering

Use template

OKRs to optimize AWS Costs

ObjectiveOptimize AWS Costs
KRDecrease monthly AWS spend by 15% compared to the previous quarter
Implement automatic scaling and resource utilization monitoring for cost-effective resource provisioning
Implement AWS Cost Explorer to analyze spending patterns and identify optimization opportunities
Optimize EC2 instances and remove unused resources to reduce AWS usage costs
Utilize Reserved Instances and Savings Plans to save on compute and database service costs
KRIdentify and eliminate any unnecessary or unused AWS resources
Remove or terminate any unnecessary or redundant AWS resources immediately
Evaluate the purpose and necessity of each identified unused resource
Regularly monitor and audit AWS resources to ensure ongoing resource optimization
Review all AWS resources to identify any that are not actively being used
KRImplement cost-saving measures, such as Reserved Instances and Spot Instances utilization
KRConduct regular cost analysis to track and report savings achieved from optimization efforts
Compile a comprehensive report showcasing the achieved savings and present it to stakeholders
Review cost data and compare it to previous periods to identify potential savings
Analyze cost drivers and evaluate opportunities for optimization in different areas
Implement a system to regularly track and monitor ongoing optimization efforts and cost savings

aws-cost-optimization resource-monitoring cloud-cost-analyst aws-architect cloud-operations-team financial-planning-&-analysis-team

Use template

How to write your own Cost Monitoring 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 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.

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.

Cost Monitoring 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 Cost Monitoring 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:

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 Cost Monitoring OKR templates

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

2 OKR examples for Cost Monitoring