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tability.ioWhat are Shadow It 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.
Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.
We have a collection of OKRs examples for Shadow It to give you some inspiration. You can use any of the templates below as a starting point for your OKRs.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Shadow It OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Shadow It. 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 ensure shadow IT alignment with corporate policy
ObjectiveEnsure shadow IT alignment with corporate policy
KRAnalyze and document compliance gaps in 70% of identified shadow IT initiatives
Identify 70% of existing shadow IT initiatives- Evaluate these initiatives for compliance gaps
- Document all identified compliance gaps
- KRImplement policy-compliant changes in 50% of non-compliant shadow IT projects
- Implement changes in identified projects
- Draft policy-compliant changes for identified projects
- Identify 50% of non-compliant shadow IT projects
- KRIdentify all shadow IT initiatives by end of week 2
- Compile a report of all discoveries
- Analyze network traffic for unknown applications
- Survey employees about unapproved software or systems they're using
OKRs to seamless integration and deployment of Productiv SaaS application
- ObjectiveSeamless integration and deployment of Productiv SaaS application
- KRIdentify and reduce shadow IT instances by 25% using the Productiv app
- Assemble team to identify current shadow IT instances
- Establish plan to reduce shadow IT by 25%
- Utilize Productiv app for IT management analysis
- KRValidate Productiv SaaS's compatibility with our systems by the end of week 1
- Execute a small-scale compatibility test using Productiv SaaS
- Identify our system's requirements and Productiv SaaS's specifications
- Analyze test results and articulate findings
- KRSuccessfully train 90% of the IT team on managing the Productiv SaaS application
- Identify key features in the Productiv SaaS application for training focus
- Develop comprehensive training program for IT team members
- Monitor and evaluate training progress and effectiveness
OKRs to ensure successful integration and deployment of Productiv SaaS application
- ObjectiveEnsure successful integration and deployment of Productiv SaaS application
- KRFully integrate Productiv SaaS with existing IT infrastructure by 100% within the defined timeline
- Identify necessary APIs to connect Productiv SaaS to IT infrastructure
- Execute integration process following API guidelines
- Monitor and evaluate system performance post-integration
- KRTrain 90% of relevant staff in operating and maintaining Productiv SaaS effectively
- Identify the staff who need to use Productiv SaaS
- Arrange training sessions on Productiv SaaS operation
- Supervise follow-up activities for effective maintenance training
- KRIdentify and mitigate 100% of discovered shadow IT instances leveraging Productiv SaaS
- Identify all instances of shadow IT using Productiv SaaS
- Analyze potential security risks and impact
- Implement mitigation strategies for flagged risks
OKRs to deploy Productiv SaaS for optimal application management
- ObjectiveDeploy Productiv SaaS for optimal application management
- KRTrain 90% of IT staff efficiently on Productiv SaaS application management tools
- Develop comprehensive, effective training program
- Schedule and conduct training sessions for IT staff
- Identify key features of Productiv SaaS for training material
- KRIdentify and onboard 100% of necessary applications into Productiv SaaS within a quarter
- Implement gradual onboarding phase for each application
- Catalog all necessary applications for full Productiv SaaS integration
- Train team on Productiv SaaS onboarding process
- KRReduce shadow IT instances by 50% using Productiv management tools
- Monitor and evaluate reduction in shadow IT instances
- Implement Productiv management tools across all IT systems
- Conduct training on Productiv for all IT staff
How to write your own Shadow It OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
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.
Shadow It 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 Shadow It 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 Shadow It OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to implement automation and simplify processes through expertise
- OKRs to boost lead generation for the sales team
- OKRs to swiftly comprehending and mastering the company's business and workflow
- OKRs to increase user revenue and reduce churn rate
- OKRs to enhance visibility and effectiveness of Fintech marketing operations
- OKRs to successfully complete the construction progression course