What are Innovation 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.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Innovation to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own Innovation OKRs
Option 1. Turn ideas into OKRs with Tability AI
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here.
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 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.
Innovation OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Innovation. 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 enhance innovation manager's mastery of business requirements
- ObjectiveEnhance innovation manager's mastery of business requirements
- KRComplete 3 advanced courses on business requirements analysis by quarter-end
- Complete all coursework by quarter-end
- Enroll in these courses immediately
- Select 3 advanced courses on business requirements analysis
- KRShow 30% improvement in speed and precision of drafting business requirement documents
- Use standardized templates to ensure consistent quality
- Attend workshops on efficient business requirement drafting
- Practice time management skills for quicker drafting
- KRInspect and accurately identify business requirements in 5 real-case scenarios
- Review company documents to understand existing business processes
- Analyze and document findings from five case scenarios
- Conduct interviews with stakeholders to identify needs
OKRs to enhance service efficiency and transformation via innovation and benchmarking
- ObjectiveEnhance service efficiency and transformation via innovation and benchmarking
- KRBenchmark our services against 3 industry-leading competitors to identify improvement opportunities
- Identify 3 industry-leading competitors relevant to our services
- Analyze and benchmark our services against these competitors
- Identify and document possible improvement opportunities
- KRIncrease service process efficiency by 25% through the use of lean techniques
- Monitor, review and adjust new processes regularly
- Analyze and eliminate inefficiencies in current processes
- Implement lean techniques training for service process teams
- KRImplement 2 new innovative solutions that transform our services and add value
- Research and identify two innovative solutions for services
- Evaluate and measure added value post-implementation
- Develop implementation plans for chosen innovations
OKRs to cultivate a dynamic environment promoting innovation and strategic decision-making
- ObjectiveCultivate a dynamic environment promoting innovation and strategic decision-making
- KRImprove data-driven decision accuracy by 15% through advanced analytics applications
- Implement advanced analytics tools for data analysis
- Regularly review and adjust analytical models for precision
- Train staff on utilizing analytics applications effectively
- KRIncrease idea submissions by employees by 30% through ideation platforms
- Recognize and reward top idea contributors
- Launch a promotional campaign for the ideation platform
- Provide training on using ideation platforms effectively
- KRImplement at least 3 innovative ideas leading to 10% cost or time savings
- Identify and analyze current processes for possible efficiency improvements
- Encourage and collect innovative improvement suggestions from team members
- Implement, monitor, and measure impact of selected innovative ideas
OKRs to cultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- ObjectiveCultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- KRIdentify 10 potential leaders through proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Select 10 potential leaders from results
- Research proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Apply methodologies to identify potential leaders
- KRSubstantiate 5 new emergent ideas proposed by the identified leaders
- Research the feasibility and potential impact of the new ideas
- Arrange meetings with the leaders to discuss their proposed ideas
- Prepare detailed reports supporting these emergent concepts
- KRAchieve a 20% increase in innovative project implementations lead by these leaders
- Implement training programs focused on innovation
- Encourage risk-taking and idea experimentation
- Organize regular creative brainstorming sessions with leaders
OKRs to become a core collaborator in the local innovation ecosystem
- ObjectiveBecome a core collaborator in the local innovation ecosystem
- KRLaunch targeted outreach marketing campaign to increase agency visibility in the ecosystem
- Implement and monitor the marketing campaign
- Identify potential target audience for the marketing campaign
- Develop a strategic, tailored marketing outreach plan
- KRBuild partnerships with 5 local tech-based startups for collaborative initiatives
- KROrganize 3 interactive workshops/seminars to facilitate knowledge sharing in the ecosystem
- Promote events through email blasts, social media, and networking sites
- Identify relevant topics and design 3 engaging workshop/seminar curriculums
- Arrange logistic elements such as venue, audio/visual equipment, refreshments
OKRs to enhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
- ObjectiveEnhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
- KRCreate and implement 2 innovative solutions to transform existing services
- Develop prototypes of the 2 selected solutions
- Implement and test these innovative solutions in live services
- Brainstorm new, innovative ways to enhance current services
- KRBenchmark against 5 industry leaders to identify and implement best practices
- Analyze their best practices and methodologies
- Identify top 5 industry leaders for benchmark comparison
- Incorporate identified best practices into our operations
- KRIncrease service delivery efficiency by 30% using new technological advancements
- Investigate latest technology advancements in service delivery
- Monitor and evaluate tech system effectiveness regularly
- Implement new tech systems to streamline service processes
OKRs to enhance IT operational efficiency through data-driven innovations
- ObjectiveEnhance IT operational efficiency through data-driven innovations
- KRImplement 2 new data-driven tools to ensure 10% faster project delivery
- Research top-rated data-driven tools for project management
- Train team on new tool integration and usage
- Monitor project delivery speed improvements regularly
- KRIncrease the use of automated processes by 20% to reduce manual work
- Identify tasks that can be automated efficiently
- Invest in higher-quality automation software
- Train staff on implementing these automated processes
- KRDecrease IT incident response time by 15% through predictive analytics
- Regularly review analytics to optimize incident response
- Train IT staff on predictive analytics tools' usage
- Implement predictive analytics software in the IT department
OKRs to accelerate service transformation through innovation and benchmarking
- ObjectiveAccelerate service transformation through innovation and benchmarking
- KRAchieve a 15% reduction in service processing time via technological enhancements
- Train staff to effectively utilize technology for efficiency
- Implement automation software for routine service tasks
- Upgrade outdated processing systems with faster technology
- KRImplement three benchmarked best practices in service delivery
- Analyze their best service delivery practices thoroughly
- Incorporate these strategies into our existing service delivery model
- Identify top-performing companies in service delivery for benchmarking
- KRIncrease operational efficiency by 25% through process innovation
- Review and streamline current operational processes
- Implement new technologies to automate routine tasks
- Invest in staff process innovation training
OKRs to enhance creative innovation prowess in apparel design
- ObjectiveEnhance creative innovation prowess in apparel design
- KRSecure 3 partnerships with fashion-forward influencers for collaboration and promotion
- Draft personalized collaboration proposals for influencers
- Identify potential influencers who align with brand aesthetic
- Initiate outreach and negotiation with selected influencers
- KRFacilitate 5 design thinking and creative workshops for the design team
- Schedule dates for all five workshops
- Identify expert professionals to run the workshops
- Prepare content and materials needed for workshops
- KRDevelop and launch 10 unique and trendsetting clothing line collections
- Conduct thorough research on current fashion trends and demands
- Design and produce sample pieces for each collection
- Plan and execute an engaging marketing and launch event
OKRs to elevate Design Through Balanced Innovation and Practicality
- ObjectiveElevate Design Through Balanced Innovation and Practicality
- KRAchieve 30% increase in client satisfaction score relating to functionality and aesthetics
- Hire design consultant to improve aesthetic appeal
- Implement user-feedback system to understand client functionality needs
- Conduct regular usability testing to identify issues
- KRImplement 3 innovative design concepts into our existing product line
- Execute and evaluate the implementation of these innovative designs
- Identify 3 innovative design concepts relevant to our product line
- Collaboratively brainstorm the integration approach for each design concept
- KRConduct 5 practicality-focus group discussions to incorporate user feedback into design
- Analyze feedback and incorporate into design
- Identify subjects for 5 practicality-focus group discussions
- Organize and conduct the focus group discussions
Innovation 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.
How to track your Innovation 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
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 Innovation OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to streamline and Automate UPI Backend Operations OKRs to secure a new project contract with a new client OKRs to develop a fair, competitive salary, benefits and housing strategy OKRs to improve customer satisfaction to boost NPS score OKRs to enhance maturity and adoption of lean/scaled Agile delivery practices OKRs to implement a robust outbound strategy for enhanced recruitment and service provision