What are Software 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.
Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Software Development 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 Software Development 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.
Software Development OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Software 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!
OKRs to enhance leadership abilities in developing new software functionalities
ObjectiveEnhance leadership abilities in developing new software functionalities
KRAchieve over 95% positive feedback in the team's quarterly performance review
Consistently offer constructive feedback and support to team members- Implement regular training and development sessions
- Improve team communication and collaboration regularly
- KRComplete advanced leadership course in software development by quarter end
- Dedicate a few hours each day for coursework and study
- Enroll in advanced leadership software development course
- Finish and submit all assignments before course deadline
- KRLead a team to successfully deliver a new feature without delays
- Effectively delegate tasks according to team strengths
- Establish regular check-ins to monitor task progress
- Clearly define the feature requirements and scope of work
OKRs to become proficient in React.js
- ObjectiveBecome proficient in React.js
- KRComplete an online React.js course with a passing grade by end of quarter
- Enroll in an online React.js course
- Dedicate consistent study hours each week
- Complete and pass all required assessments
- KRRead and understand documentation for 5 React.js libraries
- Thoroughly read the documentation for each library
- Summarize key functions and features of each library
- Select 5 React.js libraries for review and understanding
- KRBuild and deploy a small, functional web app using React.js
- Test the app locally to ensure full functionality
- Develop a small React.js web app following online tutorials or guidelines
- Deploy the web app on a preferred hosting platform
OKRs to establish a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- ObjectiveImplement secure software development process
- KRProvide secure coding training to development team
- KRConduct thorough security code review during development
- KRAchieve certification for secure software development process
- KREstablish vulnerability management process for production systems
OKRs to drive productivity and take the lead in software development initiatives
- ObjectiveDrive productivity and take the lead in software development initiatives
- KRIncrease team's coding capacity by mentoring two junior developers to full productivity
- Develop individualized mentorship plans for each developer
- Identify junior developers' strengths and areas for improvement
- Schedule regular, interactive coding training sessions
- KRDeliver four complex coding projects with less than 5% defect rate
- Develop a detailed project plan for each coding assignment
- Implement rigorous testing and quality control measures
- Continuously monitor and tweak coding for defects
- KRDevelop and spearhead one software improvement initiative achieving 20% efficiency gains
- Lead team in executing software improvement initiative
- Create detailed implementation plan for chosen improvement
- Identify potential software improvements for efficiency boost
OKRs to accelerate the frequency of software deployment
- ObjectiveAccelerate the frequency of software deployment
- KRImplement automated deployment tools to decrease average deployment time by 40%
- Install selected automated tool on the deployment system
- Research top tier automated deployment tools for implementation
- Monitor and adjust settings for an optimized 40% time reduction
- KRTrain the development team on new deployment strategies to minimize deployment errors by 30%
- Arrange training sessions on new deployment strategies for developers
- Evaluate current deployment methods & identify common errors
- Implement new strategies gradually, monitoring for improvement
- KRIncrease weekly deployment rates from 2 to 4 successful deployments
- Improve automated testing and QA processes
- Train team on advanced deployment strategies
- Establish streamlined processes for efficient code deployment
OKRs to achieve promotion to software engineer 3
- ObjectiveAchieve promotion to software engineer 3
- KRComplete advanced software development certification
- KRMentor and provide guidance to junior software engineers
- Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and career goals
- Offer constructive feedback and actionable suggestions for improvement on their code
- Actively involve them in meaningful projects to gain real-world experience and build confidence
- Provide resources and recommend learning opportunities to enhance their technical skills
- KRReceive positive performance reviews from team members and supervisors
- Regularly check in with team members and supervisors to receive feedback and updates
- Actively listen to team members and supervisors, and address any concerns or suggestions
- Set clear and measurable goals with team members and supervisors
- Continuously improve skills and knowledge through training and professional development opportunities
- KRDeliver three high-impact software projects successfully
- Implement effective project management methodologies to ensure efficient coordination and communication
- Define clear project goals, timelines, and deliverables for each software project
- Assemble a skilled and dedicated team with the necessary expertise for each project
- Regularly monitor and evaluate progress, making adjustments as needed to meet project objectives
OKRs to enhance technical proficiency and efficiency in software development
- ObjectiveEnhance technical proficiency and efficiency in software development
- KRImprove code efficiency by reducing average debugging time by 25%
- Implement regular peer code reviews to catch errors early
- Provide training on more advanced debugging tools
- Adopt test-driven development practices
- KRComplete four advanced programming courses relevant to job role
- Enroll in the identified courses
- Identify four advanced programming courses relevant to job role
- Consistently engage in coursework until completion
- KRImplement at least three new features in the ongoing project, positively impacting user experience
- Identify three potential enhancements based on user feedback
- Code and test the new features thoroughly
- Deploy updates and collect user feedback
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 enhance the quality of software releases through manual testing
- ObjectiveEnhance the quality of software releases through manual testing
- KRIncrease manual test case effectiveness by 25%
- Provide continuous training for manual testing techniques
- Implement peer reviews for manual test case validation
- Develop exhaustive, realistic use-cases scenarios for better test coverage
- KRReduce critical bugs in live software by 15%
- Implement rigorous testing procedures before software deployment
- Regularly update and debug software code base
- Train developers in best practices for bug prevention
- KRRaise manual test coverage for each release to at least 95%
- Identify areas of software currently lacking full manual testing
- Develop comprehensive manual test plans for those areas
- Train team to execute new test plans efficiently
OKRs to improve testing efficiency through AI integration
- ObjectiveImprove testing efficiency through AI integration
- KRReduce software bugs by 25% with AI algorithms
- Train AI algorithms to identify and fix recurring software bugs
- Invest in AI-based debugging tools for code review and error detection
- Integrate AI algorithms into the software development and testing process
- KRDecrease manual testing hours by 30%
- Implement automated testing protocols for recurrent tests
- Train staff in automation tools usage
- Prioritize test cases for automation
- KRImplement AI testing tools in 60% of ongoing projects
- Procure and install AI testing tools in identified projects
- Train project teams on using AI testing tools
- Identify projects suitable for AI testing tool integration
Software Development 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 Software Development 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
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 Software Development OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to improve system performance with high uptime and reduced latency
- OKRs to determine the cost of transitioning from SAP ECC to SAP S/4
- OKRs to grow revenue from existing accounts through upselling and cross-selling initiatives
- OKRs to boost sales for Leica 80 M, Internal 20 M, and Rental 10 M
- OKRs to boost our digital subscription numbers
- OKRs to enhance overall employee engagement across the organization