Tability is a cheatcode for goal-driven teams. Set perfect OKRs with AI, stay focused on the work that matters.
What are Data Engineering 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.
To aid you in setting your goals, we have compiled a collection of OKR examples customized for Data Engineering. Take a look at the templates below for inspiration and guidance.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
The best tools for writing perfect Data Engineering OKRs
Here are 2 tools that can help you draft your OKRs in no time.
Tability AI: to generate OKRs based on a prompt
Tability AI allows you to describe your goals in a prompt, and generate a fully editable OKR template in seconds.
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Click on the Generate goals using AI
- 3. Describe your goals in a prompt
- 4. Get your fully editable OKR template
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Tability Feedback: to improve existing OKRs
You can use Tability's AI feedback to improve your OKRs if you already have existing goals.
- 1. Create your Tability account
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on Generate analysis
- 4. Review the suggestions and decide to accept or dismiss them
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
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.
Data Engineering OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Data Engineering. 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 improve interoperability between data engineering teams
ObjectiveImprove interoperability between data engineering teams
KROffer biweekly data interoperability training to 90% of data engineering teams
Identify 90% of data engineering teams for training- Develop a biweekly interoperability training schedule
- Implement and monitor the data interoperability training
- KRReduce cross-team data discrepancies by 50%, ensuring increased data consistency
- Regularly audit and correct data discrepancies across all teams
- Implement a standardized data entry and management process for all teams
- Utilize data synchronization tools for seamless data integration
- KRImplement standardized data protocols across all teams increasing cross-collaboration by 30%
- Train teams on new standardized protocols
- Identify current data protocols in each team
- Draft and propose unified data protocols
OKRs to enhance data engineering capabilities to drive software innovation
- ObjectiveEnhance data engineering capabilities to drive software innovation
- KRImprove data quality by implementing automated data validation and monitoring processes
- Implement chosen data validation tool
- Research various automated data validation tools
- Regularly monitor and assess data quality
- KREnhance software scalability by optimizing data storage and retrieval mechanisms for large datasets
- Optimize SQL queries for faster data retrieval
- Adopt a scalable distributed storage system
- Implement a more efficient database indexing system
- KRIncrease data processing efficiency by optimizing data ingestion pipelines and reducing processing time
- Develop optimization strategies for lagging pipelines
- Implement solutions to reduce data processing time
- Analyze current data ingestion pipelines for efficiency gaps
OKRs to improve the quality of the data
- ObjectiveSignificantly improve the quality of the data
- KRReduce the number of data capture errors by 30%
- KRReduce delay for data availability from 24h to 4h
- KRClose top 10 issues relating to data accuracy
OKRs to reduce the cost of integrating data sources
- ObjectiveReduce the cost of data integration
- KRDecrease the time to integrate new data sources from 2 days to 4h
- Migrate data sources to Segment
- Create a shared library to streamline integrations
- KRReduce the time to create new dashboards from 4 days to <1h
- Adopt BI tool to allow users to create their own dashboards
- KR10 teams have used successfully a self-serve dashboard creation system
OKRs to build a robust data pipeline utilizing existing tools
- ObjectiveBuild a robust data pipeline utilizing existing tools
- KRSuccessfully test and deploy the data pipeline with zero critical defects by the end of week 10
- Deploy the final pipeline by week 10
- Thoroughly debug and test the data pipeline
- Fix identified issues before end of week 9
- KRIdentify and document 100% of necessary features and tools by the end of week 2
- Review product requirements and existing toolsets
- Conduct brainstorming sessions for necessary features
- Document all identified features and tools
- KRAchieve 75% completion of the data pipeline design and construction by week 6
- Continually review and improve design stages for efficiency
- Allocate resources for swift pipeline design and construction
- Establish milestones and monitor progress each week
OKRs to deploy robust reporting platform
- ObjectiveDeploy robust reporting platform
- KRIdentify and integrate relevant data sources into the platform by 50%
- Monitor and adjust integration to achieve 50% completion
- Implement data integration strategies for identified sources
- Identify relevant sources of data for platform integration
- KREnsure 95% of platform uptime with efficient maintenance and quick bug resolution
- Develop fast and effective bug resolution processes
- Implement regular system checks and predictive maintenance
- Monitor platform uptime continuously for efficiency
- KRAchieve user satisfaction rate of 85% through user-friendly design
- Collect user feedback for necessary improvements
- Implement intuitive site navigation and user interface
- Regularly update design based on user feedback
OKRs to enhance the performance of Databricks pipelines
- ObjectiveEnhance the performance of Databricks pipelines
- KRImplement pipeline optimization changes in at least 10 projects
- Start implementing the optimization changes in each project
- Identify 10 projects that require pipeline optimization changes
- Develop an actionable strategy for pipeline optimization
- KRReduce the processing time of pipeline workflows by 30%
- Implement automation for repetitive, time-consuming tasks
- Upgrade hardware to enhance processing speed
- Streamline workflow tasks by eliminating redundant steps
- KRIncrease pipeline data load speed by 25%
- Implement data compression techniques to reduce load times
- Simplify data transformation to improve throughput
- Upgrade current servers to enhance data processing capacity
Data Engineering 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.
Save hours with automated OKR dashboards
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, you can move to Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.
How to get Tability dashboards:
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Use the importers to add your OKRs (works with any spreadsheet or doc)
- 3. Publish your OKR plan
That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.
More Data Engineering OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance the reliability and efficiency of our infrastructure
- OKRs to reduce scope creep on critical projects
- OKRs to streamline vendor aging reconciliation and payment processes
- OKRs to enhance productivity and task management during the workday
- OKRs to improve my memory and retention skills
- OKRs to boost sales figures utilizing CAIS distribution team