What are Operations Optimization 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.
OKRs are quickly gaining popularity as a goal-setting framework. But, it's not always easy to know how to write your goals, especially if it's your first time using OKRs.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Operations Optimization 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 Operations Optimization 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.
Operations Optimization OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Operations Optimization 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 enhance drayage gross margin via cost optimization
ObjectiveEnhance drayage gross margin via cost optimization
KRNegotiate and decrease supplier contracts costs by 10%
Conduct a thorough analysis and assessment of current supplier contracts- Define negotiation strategies aiming at a 10% cost reduction
- Initiate renegotiation meetings with selected suppliers
- KRImplement cost tracking to reduce unaccounted expenditures by 20%
- Develop and implement a structured cost tracking system
- Train staff on utilizing the cost tracking system effectively
- Perform regular audits to ensure the system's effectiveness
- KRReduce drayage operation costs by 15% through efficiency improvements
- Implement more efficient truck scheduling and routing systems
- Improve container packing to maximize capacity utilization
- Train staff on cost-effective operational practices
OKRs to establish a comprehensive Operational Excellence Program
- ObjectiveEstablish a comprehensive Operational Excellence Program
- KRAchieve a 15% increase in overall operational efficiency metrics by quarter end
- Train workforce in lean management for optimized performance
- Implement technological upgrades to optimize production processes
- Regularly review and streamline workflow processes
- KRIdentify and document 20 potential business processes for optimization
- Prioritize processes for potential optimization
- Review existing operations and identify 20 optimization possibilities
- Document each process in detail, noting inefficiencies
- KRImplement operational improvements in at least 5 identified business processes
- Develop strategies for operational enhancements
- Identify 5 business processes needing improvement
- Implement improved processes in those identified areas
OKRs to successfully optimize a contract operations project
- ObjectiveSuccessfully optimize a contract operations project
- KRImplement optimizations in top-priority area and achieve 20% efficiency increase
- Monitor and ensure 20% efficiency increase
- Develop and implement efficiency improvement strategies
- Identify top-priority area requiring optimization
- KRIdentify and prioritize 5 potential areas for improvement by end of Week 3
- Rank the areas based on urgency and potential impact
- Identify 5 areas in need of improvement within the operations
- Analyze the importance and impact of each area
- KRDocument the optimization process with insights to guide future projects
- Create a guide based on insights for future projects
- Analyze and record insights gained from the optimization
- Document all steps taken during process optimization
OKRs to enhance IT operations and service delivery
- ObjectiveEnhance IT operations and service delivery
- KRDecrease ticket resolution time by 15% by improving processes and training
- Develop comprehensive procedure training for staff
- Implement and monitor changes to track improvements
- Analyze current ticket resolution processes for inefficiencies
- KRImplement new software to optimize operations resulting in 20% increase in productivity
- Select appropriate productivity software
- Implement software and train staff
- Identify areas of operations needing optimization
- KRIncrease client satisfaction scores for service delivery by 10% through refined communication
- Train staff on effective and empathetic client communication
- Set up periodic consumer surveys for feedback collection
- Implement a system for regular client communication updates
OKRs to achieve substantial operational cost reduction
- ObjectiveAchieve substantial operational cost reduction
- KRImplement automation in 3 high-cost operational activities to improve efficiency
- Implement and monitor the automation processes
- Design suitable automation strategies for each operation
- Identify 3 high-cost operations prone to automation
- KRReduce operational expenses by 15% through process optimization and waste reduction
- Identify and eliminate inefficient operational processes
- Train staff on optimized workflow processes
- Implement waste reduction measures across all departments
- KRReduce third-party vendor costs by renegotiating contracts and exploring alternative suppliers
- Research and evaluate alternative suppliers
- Develop and implement cost-effective contracts with new vendors
- Initiate negotiations for current vendor contracts
OKRs to enhance operational efficiency through optimal resource utilization
- ObjectiveEnhance operational efficiency through optimal resource utilization
- KRIncrease employee productivity by 25% through advanced training programs
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of training on employees' productivity
- Implement regular training sessions for all employees
- Develop comprehensive advanced training programs relevant to employees' work
- KRAchieve 20% reduction in operational costs through process optimization
- Develop and implement enhanced process optimization strategies
- Identify inefficiencies in existing operational processes
- Regularly monitor, evaluate and update the processes
- KRReduce resource wastage by 15% by improving inventory management
- Train staff on efficient inventory management practices
- Implement a real-time inventory tracking system
- Regularly analyze and adjust inventory levels
OKRs to increase cost management efficiency for people and operations
- ObjectiveIncrease cost management efficiency for people and operations
- KRImplement cost tracking system to monitor and analyze spend across departments
- Train department heads in cost tracking system usage
- Launch system and begin monitoring departmental expenses
- Select cost tracking software suitable for our business needs
- KRTrain managers on cost management best practices to mitigate overspending
- Follow-up on training effectiveness and changes
- Identify experts to guide practice implementation
- Arrange cost management training seminars for managers
- KRReduce operational costs by 10% through process optimization and automation
- Conduct a thorough assessment of current operational processes
- Implement process optimization and automation strategies
- Identify inefficiencies and areas for automation
OKRs to efficiently manage and improve IT conference call operations
- ObjectiveEfficiently manage and improve IT conference call operations
- KRConduct training sessions to enhance team's troubleshooting skills by 30%
- Implement and monitor the training sessions regularly
- Identify gaps in current troubleshooting abilities of team members
- Develop a comprehensive training plan to address these gaps
- KRReduce technical issues during calls by 50% through system optimization
- Identify common technical issues during calls
- Implement and monitor the effectiveness of updates
- Develop system updates to address these issues
- KRIncrease participant satisfaction rate to 95% based on post-call surveys
- Design a regular review and improvement process
- Train representatives in customer service excellence
- Implement participant feedback from surveys
OKRs to enable efficient daily functioning for my boss
- ObjectiveEnable efficient daily functioning for my boss
- KRMitigate 90% of potential challenges by developing a proactive problem-solving strategy
- Implement strategy and continuously review effectiveness
- Identify potential challenges within company operations
- Develop proactive problem-solving strategy methods
- KRStreamline workflow processes to cut down on 20% of boss's non-essential tasks
- Implement new streamlined work protocols
- Identify inefficiencies in current workflow processes
- Develop delegation strategies for non-essential tasks
- KRReduce boss's meeting time by 15% through effective scheduling and preparation
- Implement a strict meeting agenda to maintain focus and efficiency
- Schedule back-to-back meetings to minimize wasteful downtime
- Limit unnecessary attendees for more succinct discussion
OKRs to streamline staff operations with requisite tools and support
- ObjectiveStreamline staff operations with requisite tools and support
- KRReduce process-related queries by 40% through enhanced support mechanisms
- Train support staff to answer potential process-related queries
- Develop comprehensive user manuals for all recurring processes
- Implement intuitive software to simplify operational procedures
- KRShorten average process completion time by 30% via improved workflows
- Analyze current workflows to identify inefficiencies
- Train staff on new, more efficient workflows
- Implement changes to streamline and optimize processes
- KRIncrease team productivity by 25% by implementing appropriate tech tools
- Regularly assess and improve tech-tool effectiveness
- Provide tech tool training for employees
- Research and invest in productivity-enhancing software
Operations Optimization 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 Operations Optimization OKRs
OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full 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 Operations Optimization OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance supporter engagement significantly
- OKRs to deliver high-quality, budget-friendly training programs
- OKRs to strengthen quality control for product consistency
- OKRs to enhance customer satisfaction in Japan with top-tier appearance solutions
- OKRs to increase repeat business through timely follow-up and re-quotation
- OKRs to implement Human Centric Design in our SaaS business