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10 OKR examples for Developers

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What are Developers 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 Developers 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.

The best tools for writing perfect Developers 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.

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.

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

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.

Developers OKRs examples

You will find in the next section many different Developers 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 backend tech knowledge of two front-end developers

  • ObjectiveEnhance backend tech knowledge of two front-end developers
  • KRConduct 4 comprehensive interactive workshops on different backend technologies
  • TaskCreate marketing campaign to promote workshops
  • TaskSchedule and organize the workshop logistics
  • TaskIdentify topics and experts for each backend technology workshop
  • KREnsure regular practical assignments for hands-on experience with feedback
  • TaskDevelop a schedule for regular practical assignments
  • TaskMonitor and adjust assignments based on feedback
  • TaskImplement a system for providing constructive feedback
  • KRAchieve 80% improvement in their backend coding skills through weekly testing
  • TaskTake weekly tests to assess improvement
  • TaskDedicate five hours weekly for coding practice
  • TaskEnroll in a reputed online backend coding course

OKRs to enhance the technical proficiency of adservice team

  • ObjectiveEnhance the technical proficiency of adservice team
  • KRImplement 3 innovative ad-service solutions, verified by user feedback
  • TaskImplement selected ad-services on the platform
  • TaskGather and analyze user feedback for verification
  • TaskResearch and select 3 innovative ad-service solutions
  • KRReduce bug-response time by 20% compared to current quarter stats
  • TaskSchedule regular team bug-fixing sprints
  • TaskImplement a robust issue tracking and management system
  • TaskOffer training on effective problem-solving techniques
  • KRComplete 2 technical workshops per developer by the end of quarter
  • TaskTrack and confirm developers' workshop completions
  • TaskIdentify relevant technical workshops for each developer
  • TaskEnroll developers in selected workshops

OKRs to eliminate high-risk tech debt over the next year

  • ObjectiveReduce high-risk tech debt to improve system stability
  • KRConduct a thorough analysis to measure the impact of eliminating each high-risk tech debt item
  • KROutline and prioritize initiatives to eliminate each high-risk tech debt item
  • KRComplete the elimination of at least 50% of high-risk tech debt items
  • KRIdentify top 10 high-risk tech debt items

OKRs to improve engineering performance and reliability

  • ObjectiveBuild a world-class infrastructure
  • KRIncrease Apdex above 0.95
  • TaskCache requests wherever possible
  • TaskIdentify and resolve to 5 application bottlenecks
  • KRReduce build time to be under 5 minutes
  • TaskAudit test suite to reduce duplicates
  • TaskSwitch to a more performing build infrastructure
  • KROur stress tests show that we can support 10,000 concurrent users

OKRs to attain great security standards

  • ObjectiveAttain great security standards
  • KRAll developers score 90+ in our security awareness training
  • KR100% of devices are enrolled in a Mobile Device Management system
  • KR100% of our services have a threat mitigation system in place
  • KROur policies cover 100% of the ISO 27001 requirements

OKRs to achieve As and Bs in English class

  • ObjectiveAchieve As and Bs in English class
  • KRIncrease practice time on English topics and reading to 10 hours per week
  • TaskUtilize English learning apps and online resources
  • TaskIncorporate English reading into daily routine
  • TaskAllocate specific time slots for English practice every day
  • KRAttend tutoring sessions or study groups at least once a week
  • TaskAllocate specific time weekly to attend these sessions
  • TaskEnroll in weekly tutoring sessions or study groups
  • TaskComplete assignments and readings before attending sessions
  • KRScore above 85% in all English assignments and essays
  • TaskSeek and utilize teacher's or mentor's feedback on assignments
  • TaskConsistently revise and practice grammar and vocabulary every day
  • TaskDraft and revise all essays before final submission

OKRs to improve AI security requirements operationalization for developers’ comprehension

  • ObjectiveImprove AI security requirements operationalization for developers’ comprehension
  • KRDevelop and deploy a standardized AI security guideline by 25%
  • TaskDraft a comprehensive AI security guideline
  • TaskReduce guideline by 25% focusing on core elements
  • TaskImplement the streamlined AI security guideline across all systems
  • KRReduce misunderstandings in AI security requirements by 30% through improved documentation
  • TaskConduct regular staff trainings highlighting documentation procedures
  • TaskEstablish clear, concise writing guidelines for technical content
  • TaskImplement a standardized format for all AI security requirement documents
  • KRConduct bi-weekly developer trainings on new AI security protocols resulting in 80% adherence

OKRs to enforce coding standards to prevent new tech debt

  • ObjectiveStandardize coding practices for debt reduction
  • KRConduct training sessions to educate all team members
  • KRReduce tech debt backlog by 50% through enforcement of standards
  • KRDevelop and implement updated coding standards
  • KRConduct quarterly reviews to ensure adherence to standards

OKRs to successfully transition the software team to unit testing processes

  • ObjectiveSuccessfully transition the software team to unit testing processes
  • KRImplement unit testing in 75% of ongoing development projects
  • TaskIdentify ongoing projects to incorporate unit testing
  • TaskTrain development team in unit testing
  • TaskImplement unit testing in selected projects
  • KRAchieve 30% reduction in post-release bugs due to incorporation of unit testing
  • TaskImplement comprehensive unit testing in development process
  • TaskTrain developers on effective unit testing strategies
  • TaskRegularly review and improve the unit tests
  • KRSuccessfully complete comprehensive unit testing training for 100% of team members
  • TaskIdentify suitable comprehensive unit testing training courses
  • TaskMonitor and ensure all team members complete the course
  • TaskEnroll all team members in the chosen course

OKRs to develop and launch a range of sub-products

  • ObjectiveDevelop and launch a range of sub-products
  • KRIdentify 10 potential sub-products from existing product by week 4
  • TaskAnalyze market for existing product spin-offs potential
  • TaskReview existing product features for spin-off potential
  • TaskConduct a brainstorming session with product team
  • KRSuccessfully launch 3 refined sub-products in the market by week 12
  • TaskOfficially launch sub-products in market by week 12
  • TaskPlan marketing and distribution strategies by week 8
  • TaskFinalize specifications and improvements of sub-products by week 4
  • KRComplete development of 5 sub-products for testing by week 8
  • TaskPrioritize and assign development roles for each sub-product
  • TaskEnsure continuous monitoring and progress reports
  • TaskFinalize and prepare sub-products for testing

Developers 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.

Save hours with automated OKR dashboards

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

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 Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.

How to get Tability dashboards:

That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.

More Developers OKR templates

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

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