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tability.ioWhat are Design Manager 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.
Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.
We have a collection of OKRs examples for Design Manager to give you some inspiration. You can use any of the templates below as a starting point for your OKRs.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Design Manager OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Design Manager Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to improve stakeholder feedback incorporation through iterative design
ObjectiveImprove stakeholder feedback incorporation through iterative design
KRImplement at least 3 significant design changes based on collected feedback
Propose 3 major design changes based on analysis- Collect and analyze customer feedback on current design
- Execute and test the proposed design alterations
- KRCollect and categorize feedback from 70% of stakeholders by week 4
- KRAchieve 80% stakeholder satisfaction with the iterative design process by project end
- Monitor and measure stakeholder satisfaction periodically
- Incorporate stakeholder suggestions into design iterations
- Conduct regular feedback sessions with stakeholders
OKRs to achieve a successful and appealing Gaydon Expansion OBC
- ObjectiveAchieve a successful and appealing Gaydon Expansion OBC
- KREnsure 100% OBC compliance with environmental, safety and quality standards by week 8
- Review all OBC environmental, safety and quality standard documents
- Implement necessary corrective actions before week 8
- Conduct OBC audit checks for complete compliance by week 6
- KRGenerate 5 innovative, cost-effective expansion designs by week 6
- Research current cost-effective expansion design trends
- Refine and finalize five chosen designs
- Sketch initial design concepts for feedback
- KRSecure approval from 90% key stakeholders by week 10
OKRs to develop comprehensive KPIs for service design enhancement
- ObjectiveDevelop comprehensive KPIs for service design enhancement
- KRIdentify and categorize 15 potential KPIs critical to service design by next month
- Categorize selected KPIs based on importance
- Analyze and select the top 15 KPIs
- Conduct research on potential service design KPIs
- KRMeasure and achieve 25% improvement in service design efficiency using new KPIs
- Identify new KPIs relevant to service design efficiency
- Train staff in measuring and improving these new KPIs
- Implement changes, monitor progress and adjust as necessary
- KRImplement at least 10 newly defined KPIs in ongoing service design projects
- Monitor and adjust KPIs based on project outcomes
- Identify 10 key performance indicators for service design projects
- Incorporate the defined KPIs into ongoing projects
OKRs to expand design team to drive revenue growth
- ObjectiveExpand design team to drive revenue growth
- KRBoost sales by achieving a 20% increase in revenue
- Develop a strong content marketing strategy to attract more customers
- Upsell and cross-sell products to existing clients
- Implement customer loyalty and reward programs
- KRIncrease design project delivery by 30%
- Schedule weekly team meetings for progress updates and goal tracking
- Streamline workflows to eliminate inefficiencies in the design process
- Implement new project management tools to increase productivity
- KRHire and onboard 3 additional qualified designers
- Screen resumes and shortlist candidates for interviews
- Conduct interviews and make job offers to selected candidates
- Post job opening across multiple professional designer platforms
OKRs to achieve targeted design goals next quarter
- ObjectiveAchieve targeted design goals next quarter
- KRIncrease design productivity by 20% using time management strategies
- Prioritize design tasks based on urgency and importance
- Minimize distractions during high productivity hours
- Implement a strict schedule for design tasks with time limits
- KRImprove client satisfaction rate by 15%with enhanced design quality
- Train design team in best satisfaction practices
- Regularly ask clients for design feedback
- Implement rigorous quality checks for design enhancements
- KRComplete 100% of design projects before scheduled deadlines
- Prioritize projects based on due dates and complexity
- Regularly monitor progress and adjust schedule if needed
- Allocate sufficient time daily to work on designs
OKRs to improve efficiency in design and technical drawing management
- ObjectiveImprove efficiency in design and technical drawing management
- KRReduce drawing approval time by 25% through process optimization
- Streamline communication between teams
- Implement faster digital drawing approval software
- Train staff in efficient drawing approval practices
- KRImplement a new drawing management platform, achieving 90% user adoption rate
- Launch an internal marketing campaign promoting new platform usage
- Research and select an appropriate drawing management platform
- Develop comprehensive user training and onboarding materials
- KRComplete 100% of design projects without exceeding initial budget
- Prepare precise budget breakdown before starting projects
- Review and approve all purchasing decisions carefully
- Continually monitor and control project expenses
OKRs to enhance resource allocation based on design skills and portfolio
- ObjectiveEnhance resource allocation based on design skills and portfolio
- KRImprove project success rate by 15% via portfolio optimized resource distribution
- Implement the resource distribution strategy and monitor impact on project success
- Develop a resource allocation strategy based on portfolio optimization
- Analyze past projects for resource use patterns and inefficiencies
- KRAchieve a 30% reduction in misallocated design resources
- Identify inefficiencies and necessary improvements
- Investigate current allocation of design resources
- Implement resource redistribution strategies
- KRIncrease resource utilization rate by 20% through improved skill-based assignments
- Monitor and adjust assignments consistently
- Identify skills and strengths of team members
- Allocate tasks based on those identified skills
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 design and launch a production unit application
- ObjectiveDesign and launch a production unit application
- KRIdentify and document production unit needs and specifications by end of Week 4
- Conduct interviews with production unit teams
- Analyze and list unit needs and specifications
- Compile and finalize documentation by Week 4
- KRDesign, develop, and test the application prototype for functionality by Week 8
- Develop the proposed prototype based on the design
- Conduct thorough functionality tests on the prototype
- Create detailed design for application prototype
- KRSuccessfully deploy the new application in the production unit by Week 12
- Finalize application development and perform thorough testing by Week 9
- Complete user training for new application usage by Week 10
- Schedule and execute application deployment in the production unit for Week 12
OKRs to implement an efficient vendor invoice tracker
- ObjectiveImplement an efficient vendor invoice tracker
- KRValidate the prototype with at least 3 different members of the talent acquisition team
- Schedule feedback sessions with each member
- Identify three team members for prototype validation
- Share the prototype with selected team members
- KRDesign a comprehensive prototype of the invoice tracker within 4 weeks
- Draft preliminary design and functionality notes for invoice tracker
- Develop and refine prototype based on initial design plans
- Conduct thorough tests and improve upon the prototype
- KREnsure 90% of vendor invoices are processed through the tracker by project end
- Monitor tracking system regularly to assess progress
- Train staff on proper invoice tracking procedures
- Implement invoice tracking system for vendor billings
How to write your own Design Manager 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.
Design Manager 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 Design Manager OKRs
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the 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
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
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 Design Manager OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to ensure timely completion of all designated projects
- OKRs to develop core skills for beginner business analyst
- OKRs to develop high-quality English language arts assessment items
- OKRs to enhance product and component Quality, Security, & Performance
- OKRs to boost self-assuredness and belief in personal abilities
- OKRs to achieve acknowledgment of all reported outages within SLA