What are Quality Code 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.
How you write your OKRs can make a huge difference on the impact that your team will have at the end of the quarter. But, it's not always easy to write a quarterly plan that focuses on outcomes instead of projects.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Quality Code to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own Quality Code 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.
Quality Code OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Quality Code 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 improve code quality through effective code reviews
ObjectiveImprove code quality through effective code reviews
KRReduce average time taken to complete code reviews
Set clear expectations and guidelines for code reviews- Use automated tools for code analysis and review to enhance efficiency
- Implement a peer review process to streamline code reviews
- Provide regular code review training sessions for team members
- KRImplement and track improvements in code review feedback incorporation rate
- Conduct a survey to collect feedback from developers on barriers to incorporating code review feedback
- Analyze the survey results to identify the common barriers to incorporating code review feedback
- Implement a tracking system to monitor and measure the improvements in code review feedback incorporation rate
- Develop a training program to address the identified barriers and improve feedback incorporation rate
- KRIncrease team members' satisfaction with code review process
- KRIncrease average number of bugs caught through code review per week
OKRs to elevate overall test coverage across all features
- ObjectiveElevate overall test coverage across all features
- KRImplement a process for monitoring and increasing test coverage on an ongoing basis
- Implement a continuous test coverage monitoring system
- Develop strategies to continuously improve test coverage
- Identify existing areas lacking sufficient test coverage
- KRIdentify and address 30% of areas with low test coverage across existing features
- Prioritize these features based on importance
- Identify features with less than 70% test coverage
- Develop and implement tests to increase coverage
- KRAchieve 70% code coverage for all new features developed in the next quarter
- Conduct reviews and refactoring sessions to improve coverage
- Implement mandatory unit tests for all newly developed features
- Monitor code coverage regularly using suitable tools
OKRs to foster rapid and secure high-quality code development
- ObjectiveFoster rapid and secure high-quality code development
- KRIncrease code reviews to ensure 100% implementation of security protocols
- Implement automated code review tools for security compliance
- Schedule regular code review sessions with team members
- Provide training on security protocol standards during code reviews
- KRImplement a standardized coding style guide across all projects by quarter end
- Develop a comprehensive coding style guide
- Enforce guide compliance in project reviews
- Communicate the guide to all developers
- KRDecrease the development cycle by 30% through effective work methodologies
- Regularly update and optimize software tools for improved efficiency
- Adopt test-driven development to reduce debugging time
- Implement agile project management for quicker iteration cycles
OKRs to substantially reduce technical debt across all projects
- ObjectiveSubstantially reduce technical debt across all projects
- KRAchieve 95% test code coverage to identify and correct hidden bugs
- Use a code coverage tool to measure efficiency
- Refactor poorly covered code sections
- Write comprehensive unit tests for each function or component
- KRDecrease codebase complexity by 25% using refactoring techniques
- Implement effective refactoring techniques to simplify code
- Regularly review and optimize code to maintain simplicity
- Identify redundant and inefficient code for elimination
- KRConduct bi-weekly code reviews to identify and solve 30% of debt issues
- Schedule bi-weekly code review sessions
- Identify issues contributing to code debt
- Implement solutions for 30% of identified issues
OKRs to enhance Developer Quality
- ObjectiveEnhance Developer Quality
- KRFoster collaboration by establishing cross-functional teams to deliver one successful project
- Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to ensure clarity
- Facilitate regular communication and meetings among team members to encourage collaboration
- Identify key individuals from different departments to form cross-functional teams
- Provide the necessary resources and support to enable teams to successfully deliver the project
- KREnhance technical skills through monthly training sessions with at least 90% attendance
- Monitor and track attendance of each team member for training sessions
- Provide relevant and informative training materials for each session
- Communicate the importance of attending training sessions to all team members
- Establish a monthly schedule for training sessions
- KRIncrease code quality by implementing code review process and achieving an average rating of 4 out of 5
- Establish a designated code review team to review and provide constructive feedback on code submissions
- Implement a systematic code review process and ensure all code changes undergo thorough review
- Define clear coding guidelines and standards to be followed during the code review process
- Regularly measure and track the code review ratings, identifying areas of improvement and addressing them
- KRImprove efficiency by decreasing average bug fix time to less than 24 hours
OKRs to increase code quality
- ObjectiveDemonstrate incredible standards in code quality
- KR100% of pull requests are reviewed by 2 developers
- KR75% of the developers have gone through QA training
- KR100% of repositories are using code linting and static code analysis
- KRReduce the percentage of QA-related broken builds by 60%
OKRs to enhance pull request review and feedback process
- ObjectiveEnhance pull request review and feedback process
- KRProvide constructive comments on 90% of all reviewed pull requests
- Write insightful comments for 90% of reviewed pull requests
- Constantly evaluate and improve commenting strategy
- Review and understand all incoming pull requests thoroughly
- KRIncrease the number of pull request reviews by 25% from the present rate
- Implement incentives for frequent reviewers
- Set daily goals for reviewing pull requests
- Allocate more resources to pull requests reviews
- KRReply to 100% of pull requests within two working days
- Dedicate specific time daily for handling pull requests
- Prioritize responding to pull requests immediately
- Set email notifications for incoming pull requests
OKRs to implement automation testing across development platform and code
- ObjectiveImplement automation testing across development platform and code
- KRIdentify and list 100% of testable features within the existing code base
- Review entire code base to identify testable features
- Create a comprehensive list of these features
- Confirm all identified features are indeed testable
- KRCreate and document comprehensive automated test scripts for 70% of identified features
- Develop comprehensive automated test scripts
- Identify key features requiring automated test scripts
- Document tested features and script process
- KRAchieve a 95% success rate in detecting and reporting bugs through automation tests
- Implement automated testing tools to highlight software errors
- Train team members on analyzing automated test results
- Regularly update and refine automated test scripts
OKRs to enhance efficiency and productivity in development within the team
- ObjectiveEnhance efficiency and productivity in development within the team
- KRImprove problem-solving capabilities by 40% in resolving coding issues
- Seek mentorship from senior coders for guidance
- Practice resolving issues with more complex code
- Enroll in advanced coding and problem-solving workshops
- KRDeliver four high-quality projects within agreed upon timelines and standards
- Maintain continual progress monitoring for quality assurance
- Establish clear timelines and standards for each project
- Implement effective communication amongst project team members
- KRIncrease engagement and participation in weekly team development reviews by 100%
- Send reminder notifications prior to weekly development review meetings
- Incentivize active participation with rewards recognizing valuable input
- Ensure agenda topics are relevant and engaging for all team members
OKRs to conduct regular penetration testing and code reviews
- ObjectiveImprove security through regular penetration testing and code reviews
- KREnsure all critical vulnerabilities found in penetration testing are remediated within 2 weeks
- KRConduct code reviews for all new features and major changes before deployment
- KRImplement at least 80% of code review recommendations within the next release cycle
- KRIncrease the frequency of penetration testing from once a quarter to twice a month
Quality Code 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 Quality Code 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
Most teams should start with a spreadsheet if they're using OKRs for the first time. Then, once you get comfortable you can graduate to a proper OKRs-tracking tool.
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 Quality Code OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.