15 customisable OKR examples for Research Development
What are Research Development 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 Research Development 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.
Building your own Research Development OKRs with AI
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own OKRs.
Our customisable Research Development OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Research Development. 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!
1. OKRs to accelerate and enhance pharmaceutical R&D processes
Accelerate and enhance pharmaceutical R&D processes
Streamline R&D decision-making process by reducing unnecessary stages by 25%
Implement the new streamlined process- Develop a simplified decision-making workflow
- Identify redundant stages in the current R&D process
- Increase the number of successful drug trials by 20%
- Enhance the selection process for trial participants
- Invest in more advanced research equipment and techniques
- Provide additional training for research staff
- Reduce research inefficiencies by implementing 2 new automation technologies
- Identify 2 promising automation technologies for research processes
- Train research staff on utilizing the new technologies efficiently
- Install and integrate the selected automation technologies
2. OKRs to enhance capability as an institutional research analyst in higher education
- Enhance capability as an institutional research analyst in higher education
- Attend 3 professional development webinars on higher education research analysis techniques
- Participate and take notes during each webinar
- Sign up for the chosen webinars
- Identify 3 webinars focused on higher education research analysis techniques
- Mentor and guide 2 junior research analysts to improve their capability development
- Provide direct training on necessary software/tools
- Develop a personalized growth plan for each analyst
- Establish regular weekly meetings for guidance and feedback
- Develop, present, and implement 1 strategic initiative to improve research methodologies
- Identify weakness in current research methodologies
- Create strategic initiative for process improvement
- Present and implement strategy to team
3. OKRs to develop innovative pharmaceutical products
- Develop innovative pharmaceutical products
- Develop and test 2 prototypes with satisfactory patient outcomes
- Conduct patient outcome tests on prototypes
- Identify key components for prototype based on patient needs
- Build and refine two prototype designs
- Conduct research to identify 3 potential active pharmaceutical ingredients
- Identify key drugs suitable for pharmaceutical component research
- Conduct thorough research on potential active ingredients
- Document findings for each potential ingredient
- Secure regulatory approval for 1 new pharmaceutical product
- Respond promptly to regulatory feedback and additional information requests
- Conduct rigorous clinical trials for safety and efficacy
- Develop and submit detailed dossier to regulatory authority
4. OKRs to drive business expansion through innovative strategies
- Drive business expansion through innovative strategies
- Secure two strategic partnerships for innovation collaboration
- Reach out initiating discussions for collaboration
- Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements
- Identify potential partners aligned with our innovation goals
- Increase innovation portfolio returns by at least 20%
- Expand business partnerships for diverse insights
- Invest in research and employee training programs
- Implement new technologies to optimize processes
- Develop and initiate 3 new high-impact innovative projects
- Formulate project plans detailing the execution strategy
- Initiate the projects by gathering necessary resources
- Identify potential areas for high-impact innovative projects
5. OKRs to strengthen and broaden critical thinking skills
- Strengthen and broaden critical thinking skills
- Complete 3 distinct, comprehensive problem-solving exercises per week
- Allocate specific time for each exercise's completion
- Evaluate and review the problem-solving process weekly
- Choose three unique, complex problems to solve each week
- Read and critically analyze 2 new academic or scientific articles per month
- Thoroughly read each article
- Write a critical analysis of each article
- Select two academic or scientific articles
- Attend 1 workshop or seminar on logic or reasoning each month
- Research upcoming workshops or seminars on logic or reasoning
- Schedule the event into your personal calendar
- Register for one event of interest each month
6. OKRs to develop a compelling game that engages and captivates players
- Develop a compelling game that engages and captivates players
- Develop a functional prototype of the game with polished graphics and intuitive controls
- Implement and refine intuitive controls based on user experience and usability testing
- Iterate on the game design based on user feedback and playtesting results
- Conduct user testing to identify any issues with the game controls
- Collaborate with an artist to create high-quality graphics for the game prototype
- Conduct user research to identify target audience preferences and game themes
- Develop a survey to gather user feedback on preferred game themes
- Use findings to inform game theme selection and prioritize target audience preferences
- Conduct interviews with target audience members to understand their preferences
- Analyze user research data to identify common themes and preferences
- Conduct playtesting sessions to gather feedback and iterate on the game design
- Create a detailed game design document outlining gameplay mechanics, levels, and objectives
- Outline basic gameplay mechanics that will define the core experience of the game
- Create clear and specific objectives for each level, ensuring they align with gameplay mechanics
- Design a series of diverse levels that challenge and engage players
- Research popular gameplay mechanics, level design techniques, and objective structures
7. OKRs to improve business acumen through literature
- Improve business acumen through literature
- Write a succinct summary after each read to cement learning
- Immediately after reading, jot down key points from the material
- Create a concise summary using the jotted points
- Review your summary to ensure it's accurate
- Consume 20 industry-specific articles weekly
- Locate and bookmark 20 industry-related articles each week
- Summarize key insights gleaned from each article
- Devote daily time to read four articles
- Read at least 3 business-related books completely
- Select three business-related books to read
- Finish reading all three books
- Schedule regular time slots to focus on reading
8. OKRs to improve understanding of OKRs
- Improve understanding of OKRs
- Read at least two books or articles about OKRs to deepen understanding
- Research top books on OKRs and make a list of two to read
- Set aside dedicated time every week to read and focus on OKR materials
- Discuss key takeaways with colleagues or mentors to enhance comprehension
- Take notes while reading to summarize main concepts and ideas
- Attend a training session on OKRs to gain foundational knowledge
- Attend and actively participate in the OKR training session
- Prepare a notebook or document to take notes during the training session
- Research online for a reputable training session on OKRs
- Register for the chosen training session on OKRs
- Create and successfully implement a personal OKR to apply knowledge gained
- Discuss OKRs with at least three colleagues to gather different perspectives
- Engage actively in conversations with colleagues to understand their perspectives
- Take notes during discussions to capture different insights on OKRs
- Schedule a meeting with colleagues to discuss OKRs
- Prepare a list of questions to prompt discussion on OKRs
9. OKRs to enhance understanding and application of copyright laws
- Enhance understanding and application of copyright laws
- Complete a certified online course on copyright laws by securing at least 85%
- Review thoroughly to achieve a minimum score of 85%
- Register for a certified online course on copyright laws
- Dedicate regular study hours to comprehend course material effectively
- Attend 3 copyright-related webinars or workshops to deepen contextual understanding
- Attend and participate in all chosen activities
- Register for selected webinars or workshops
- Research and identify 3 copyright-related webinars or workshops
- Apply learned theories by reviewing and updating 5 copyright agreements per week
- Review weekly assigned copyright agreements
- Submit revised agreements for approval
- Apply learned theories to update agreements
10. OKRs to innovate healthcare to improve human well-being
- Innovate healthcare to improve human well-being
- Establish partnerships with five health technology companies for collaborative research
- Identify potential health technology companies for partnership
- Send partnership proposals detailing collaborative research
- Negotiate partnership agreement terms
- Obtain regulatory approvals for two new healthcare products designed for well-being
- Complete all documentation for the regulatory submission
- Submit the new products to regulatory bodies
- Address feedback from the regulatory bodies promptly
- Develop a prototype for a healthcare app aiming at patient comfort by 20%
- Develop initial design and functionality parameters for the app prototype
- Initiate the coding and testing phases for the app prototype
- Conduct user research on existing healthcare apps for patient comfort features
11. OKRs to broaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
- Broaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
- Attend two professional seminars or webinars focused on the agent's role in the business
- Register for two chosen professional seminars or webinars
- Attend and actively participate in these webinars
- Research upcoming webinars focused on the agent's role in business
- Conduct informational interviews with five business agents to gain first-hand information
- Schedule and conduct interviews with selected agents
- Identify five business agents relevant to the project
- Draft insightful questions to ask during interviews
- Complete three agent case studies with cross-industry analysis by quarter-end
- Identify three agent cases from diverse industries for study
- Compile findings and complete final report by quarter-end
- Perform a detailed cross-industry analysis on chosen case studies
12. OKRs to evaluate ozonation's effect on biofiltration process
- Evaluate ozonation's effect on biofiltration process
- Establish a link between ozonation levels and biofiltration effectiveness in 75% of tests
- Develop a standardized testing method
- Conduct and analyze tests on biofiltration effectiveness
- Study previous research on ozonation and biofiltration
- Conduct 10 experiments to identify specific ozonation impacts on biofilter microbiomes
- Define parameters for specific ozonation impacts
- Analyze and record the results after ozonation
- Set up 10 different biofilter microbiome experiments
- Publish a comprehensive report analyzing and proposing enhancements to the ozonation-biofiltration setup
- Conduct research on existing ozonation-biofiltration technologies
- Analyze and draft improvements for current setup
- Compile and publish comprehensive final report
13. OKRs to identify and assess new growth opportunities
- Identify and assess new growth opportunities
- Conduct detailed feasibility studies for identified opportunities to determine viability
- Evaluate viability based on research outcomes
- Identify opportunities for feasibility study
- Perform detailed review of business prospects
- Research and pinpoint 10 potential new market areas for business expansion
- Analyse findings to determine viability for business expansion
- Identify sectors and industries where our business can potentially expand
- Conduct detailed market research on the 10 identified areas
- Develop and present 5 comprehensive business proposals for promising opportunities
- Develop comprehensive proposals for each opportunity
- Prepare presentations for each business proposal
- Identify 5 promising business opportunities for proposal
14. OKRs to craft a compelling and successful business case
- Craft a compelling and successful business case
- Conduct detailed market and competitor analysis by end of Week 4
- Analyze market trends and customer preferences
- Gather data on competitor strategy and performance
- Identify key competitors in the market
- Gather and incorporate feedback from 5 industry experts by end of Week 12
- Collect and analyze received feedback
- Implement relevant feedback into operations
- Identify and reach out to 5 industry experts for feedback
- Develop a clear, attainable business case prototype by end of Week 8
- Review and finalize the prototype by end of Week 8
- Assemble these elements into a clear structure
- Identify key elements of the business case prototype
15. OKRs to enhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
- Enhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
- Create 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
- Benchmark 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
- Increase 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
Research Development OKR best practices to boost success
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
Having too many OKRs is the #1 mistake that teams make when adopting the framework. The problem with tracking too many competing goals is that it will be hard for your team to know what really matters.
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.
Tability's audit dashboard will highlight opportunities to improve OKRsTip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Setting good goals can be challenging, but without regular check-ins, your team will struggle to make progress. We recommend that you track your OKRs weekly to get the full benefits from the framework.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparencyTip #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 turn your Research Development OKRs in a strategy map
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the 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
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.
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsIf 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 Research Development OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance the quality of project rules
- OKRs to improve system availability to achieve 999% uptime
- OKRs to improve product quality by ensuring teams identify and mitigate risks
- OKRs to enhance satisfaction levels of IT Service Desk
- OKRs to inspire learners through innovative Christ-centered educational programs
- OKRs to broaden understanding in the new work field
OKRs resources
Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the Objectives and Key Results framework.
- To learn: What is the meaning of OKRs
- Blog posts: ODT Blog
- Success metrics: KPIs examples
What's next? Try Tability's goal-setting AI
You can create an iterate on your OKRs using Tability's unique goal-setting AI.
Watch the demo below, then hop on the platform for a free trial.