What are It Department OKRs?
The OKR acronym stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s, and it became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s. OKRs helps teams has a shared language to set ambitious goals and track progress towards them.
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 It Department 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 It Department 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'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.
It Department OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for It Department. 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 implement a metric system for enhanced outcome-orientation in the company
ObjectiveImplement a metric system for enhanced outcome-orientation in the company
KRConduct training for all department heads to understand and apply these metrics by month 3
Schedule and conduct training sessions for the heads- Identify department heads requiring training
- Design an orientation program on metric application
- KRDevelop a customizable metrics dashboard in collaboration with IT department by month 2
- Beta test dashboard and make necessary adjustments
- Collaborate with IT on programming requirements
- Identify necessary metrics for the dashboard
- KRComplete research on industry-standard performance metrics by the end of month 1
- Identify key industry-standard performance metrics
- Compile findings into comprehensive report
- Analyze metrics' importance and application
OKRs to optimize IT costs by reducing expenses by 20%
- ObjectiveReduce IT expenses by 20%
- KRAnalyze previous quarter expenses and identify areas for cost reduction
- Determine cost-saving opportunities
- Identify spending patterns
- Review expenses
- Implement cost reduction measures
- KREducate employees on cost-saving practices and enforce IT policies
- Regularly remind staff of cost-cutting policies
- Contain training sessions for IT policy adoption
- Monitor employee compliance with IT policies and address non-compliance
- Hold information sessions about cost-saving practices
- KRNegotiate with vendors for better pricing
- Research vendor's competitors and their rates
- Highlight your previous purchasing history with them
- Offer to sign a long-term contract for a discount
- Ask for a volume discount based on the forecasted quantity
- KRImplement solutions and track savings
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction
- Implement cost-saving solutions
- Track and report realized savings
- Prioritize solutions based on potential savings
OKRs to implement up-to-date IT systems
- ObjectiveImplement up-to-date IT systems
- KRTrain all IT staff on new systems, achieving 90% proficiency rating
- Schedule regular training sessions for IT staff
- Conduct proficiency assessments post-training
- Identify necessary training programs for new systems
- KRIdentify and acquire latest IT systems by assessing 5 different vendors
- Identify five vendors offering the latest IT systems
- Evaluate each vendor based on system capabilities and support
- Finalize and acquire the most suitable IT system
- KRLaunch and integrate new IT systems with 0% downtime
- Streamline integration tasks to minimize potential interruptions
- Implement a phased rollout approach for new systems deployment
- Set up a parallel operational environment for new systems testing
OKRs to successfully procure and implement a smart workplace management system
- ObjectiveSuccessfully procure and implement a smart workplace management system
- KRTrain all relevant staff and fully implement the system by week 12
- Identify all staff requiring system training
- Fully implement the system by week 12
- Organize in-depth system training for selected staff
- KRSource and evaluate 5 potential management systems by week 3
- Identify 5 promising management systems
- Gather detailed information about each system
- Assess each management system's effectiveness and suitability
- KRSecure budget approval and purchase selected management system by week 6
- Follow-up for budget approval by week 5
- Purchase selected management system by week 6
- Submit project budget for approval by the end of week 3
OKRs to enhance visibility over cloud and on-prem patchmanagement and configurations
- ObjectiveEnhance visibility over cloud and on-prem patchmanagement and configurations
- KRComplete training for IT team on latest best practices regarding configurations and patch management
- Identify relevant training programs on configurations and patch management
- Enroll IT team members in selected training courses
- Monitor team's progression and verify training completion
- KRImplement a centralized system to track and report all cloud resource configurations
- Train staff to report configurations
- Deploy the system across all cloud resources
- Identify necessary components for the centralized tracking system
- KREstablish a schedule and process for regular patch updates and audits
- Identify software and systems that require regular patching
- Determine frequency for updates and audits
- Create SOP for patch management process
OKRs to streamline administrative tasks in sales department
- ObjectiveStreamline administrative tasks in sales department
- KRImplement new software to automate at least 50% of repetitive tasks
- Identify repetitive tasks suitable for software automation
- Install and test automation software
- Research and select appropriate automation software
- KRReduce sales report generation time by 30%
- Streamline the sales data input process
- Train team on faster report generation methods
- Implement efficient sales reporting software
- KRImprove data entry accuracy to 98%
- Utilize automated data validation software
- Establish robust data auditing processes
- Implement rigorous data entry training programs
OKRs to develop a comprehensive IT upskilling program for colleagues
- ObjectiveDevelop a comprehensive IT upskilling program for colleagues
- KRIdentify 3 major IT skill gaps in the team within 7 days
- Compare findings with current IT skill standards
- Analyze team's recent project performance
- Survey team to identify perceived IT skills deficiencies
- KRAchieve 80% completion rate across all training modules over the quarter
- Regularly monitor and review completion progress
- Implement incentives to motivate completion
- Develop engaging and comprehensive training modules
- KRDesign 2 in-depth training modules per identified gap in the subsequent 3 weeks
- Design and finalize two training modules per gap
- Identify the gaps that need training modules
- Develop detailed outlines for each module
OKRs to reduce overall IT expenditure per employee
- ObjectiveReduce overall IT expenditure per employee
- KRDecrease hardware renewal cost by 20%
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary hardware assets
- Implement preventative maintenance strategies on existing hardware
- Negotiate better contracts with hardware vendors
- KRImplement software use audits to identify 15% cost-saving opportunities
- Identify key software used in organization operations
- Analyze audit findings to identify cost-saving opportunities
- Develop and implement a software auditing process
- KRAchieve a 10% reduction in IT service contractor expenses
- Explore cheaper alternatives or in-house solutions for IT services
- Evaluate current IT service contracts for potential cost-saving opportunities
- Negotify renegotiations or cancellations of costly contracts
OKRs to enhance company security standards to safeguard against potential threats
- ObjectiveEnhance company security standards to safeguard against potential threats
- KRAchieve a 100% completion rate of all recommended security updates and patches
- Conduct routine audits to ensure all devices and systems have the latest security patches
- Provide ongoing training and awareness programs to educate employees on the importance of installing security updates
- Implement an automated system to regularly scan and identify available security updates
- Establish a policy for prompt installation and deployment of all identified security updates
- KRImplement a comprehensive training program on cybersecurity for all employees
- Create an online platform to provide ongoing access to cybersecurity resources and learning materials
- Schedule regular training sessions to ensure all employees receive cybersecurity education
- Assign qualified trainers to deliver interactive and engaging cybersecurity training sessions
- Develop a customized cybersecurity training curriculum tailored to different employee roles
- KRReduce the average response time to security incidents by 20%
- Streamline incident response workflows to remove unnecessary steps and improve efficiency
- Develop a clear escalation process and ensure all stakeholders are aware and trained
- Conduct regular simulations and exercises to enhance incident response readiness and identify areas for improvement
- Implement automated monitoring systems to identify and alert on security incidents promptly
- KRIncrease the frequency of security audits to at least once every quarter
- Assign specific personnel responsible for conducting security audits
- Develop a standardized reporting format for security audit findings and recommendations
- Implement regular communication channels to track and monitor security audit progress
- Review and update security audit checklist to ensure comprehensive coverage
OKRs to upgrade System Scalability and Maturity
- ObjectiveUpgrade System Scalability and Maturity
- KRDecrease system downtime by 15% by improving performance
- Implement regular system performance analysis and monitoring
- Improve fault detection and recovery measures
- Regularly update and optimize software
- KRIntroduce two new maturity models to improve system maturity
- Train staff on implementing and using the new models
- Integrate new maturity models into the existing system
- Identify suitable maturity models for our system
- KRIncrease system capacity by 25% to support growth
- Purchase and install additional server hardware
- Evaluate current system capacities and identify limitations
- Optimize system configuration for enhanced performance
It Department 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 It Department 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
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 a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
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 It Department OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to boost employees' understanding of corporate culture and core values
- OKRs to streamline corporate general and administrative expenses
- OKRs to boost the success rate of competitive grant applications
- OKRs to boost website conversion rate
- OKRs to position X as an integral part of the innovation ecosystem
- OKRs to enhance and expand our current AI features