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tability.ioWhat are Software Testing 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 Testing 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.
Software Testing OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Software Testing 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 the efficiency of our software testing suite
ObjectiveEnhance the efficiency of our software testing suite
KRIncrease the speed of test execution by 25%
Optimize code base to reduce unnecessary testing steps- Utilize faster test automation tools and frameworks
- Implement parallel testing to distribute tests across different machines
- KRReduce software test suite setup time by 15%
- Implement automated test setup protocols
- Optimize code for greater setup efficiency
- Reduce redundant or unnecessary tests
- KRDecrease bug identification time by 20%
- Implement automated testing tools for routine bug discovery
- Use dedicated bug tracking systems to report issues
- Conduct regular training for staff in debugging techniques
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 enhance the quality of the company's testing process
- ObjectiveEnhance the quality of the company's testing process
- KRReduce the number of bugs found post-release by 30%
- Implement continuous training for the development team
- Develop rigorous pre-launch software testing protocols
- Enhance code review processes and quality checks
- KRAchieve 95% accuracy rate in every conducted testing
- Review and refine testing procedures and tools
- Implement comprehensive training on test protocol
- Conduct regular monitoring and performance evaluation
- KRImplement two new automated testing tools to streamline process
- Research and select two suitable automated testing tools
- Train the team on usage and integration of tools
- Purchase and install chosen automated testing tools
OKRs to successfully transition the software team to unit testing processes
- ObjectiveSuccessfully transition the software team to unit testing processes
- KRImplement unit testing in 75% of ongoing development projects
- Identify ongoing projects to incorporate unit testing
- Train development team in unit testing
- Implement unit testing in selected projects
- KRAchieve 30% reduction in post-release bugs due to incorporation of unit testing
- Implement comprehensive unit testing in development process
- Train developers on effective unit testing strategies
- Regularly review and improve the unit tests
- KRSuccessfully complete comprehensive unit testing training for 100% of team members
- Identify suitable comprehensive unit testing training courses
- Monitor and ensure all team members complete the course
- Enroll all team members in the chosen course
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
OKRs to enhance quality control testing effectiveness
- ObjectiveEnhance quality control testing effectiveness
- KRDecrease defects found post-release by 20%
- Incorporate more rigorous beta testing phases
- Improve training for software developers
- Implement thorough quality assurance procedures
- KRInitiate 100% of staff into new quality-control training program
- Create an informative and engaging training schedule
- Identify and list all staff requiring the new training
- Begin rollout of quality-control training to all staff
- KRIncrease test coverage rate to 90%
- Identify areas of the code lacking sufficient testing
- Implement and regularly update tests to maintain coverage
- Develop comprehensive, relevant tests for those areas
OKRs to ensure smooth migration of on-prem applications to cloud setup
- ObjectiveEnsure smooth migration of on-prem applications to cloud setup
- KREnsure zero critical post-migration issues in the final month of the quarter
- Implement a rigorous software testing process post-migration
- Conduct daily briefs to discuss potential issues
- Schedule weekly system performance evaluations
- KRFinalize a comprehensive migration plan with defined roles and responsibilities by week 2
- Identify and assign roles and responsibilities to team members
- Create a comprehensive migration plan
- Review and finalize the migration plan by week 2
- KRAchieve successful migration of 70% of identified applications by week 8
- Identify critical applications for migration prioritization by week 2
- Achieve 70% migration of applications by the end of week 8
- Initiate migration process of identified applications by week 4
OKRs to improve software quality and testing efficiency
- ObjectiveImprove software quality and testing efficiency
- KRImplement automated regression testing on 95% of codebase
- Create and develop automated regression testing scripts
- Implement and regularly run these automated tests on the identified code
- Identify areas of the codebase that can support automated regression testing
- KRIdentify and resolve 90% of bugs before next development phase
- Review code thoroughly for possible bugs
- Establish robust testing procedures for overlooked bugs
- Prioritize and resolve detected bugs efficiently
- KRReduce manual testing time by 60% with increased automation
- Identify repetitive tasks suitable for automation
- Train staff on utilizing automation tools
- Develop and implement automation scripts
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 implement unit-testing in Mid-Office
- ObjectiveImplement unit-testing in Mid-Office
- KRDevelop a comprehensive unit testing plan within 4 weeks
- Schedule and delegate testing tasks
- Identify all functionalities for testing
- Draft a detailed unit testing procedure
- KRTrain the team on unit-testing best practices and tools by 6 weeks
- Schedule and conduct weekly team training sessions for 6 weeks
- Develop a comprehensive training program on unit-testing practices
- Identify appropriate unit-testing software and tools for training
- KRAchieve 80% code coverage with unit tests by the end of the quarter
- Write effective tests for identified sections
- Identify sections of code lacking unit tests
- Regularly run and adjust tests for improvement
How to write your own Software Testing 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.
Software Testing 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
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.
Tip #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.
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 Testing 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
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 Software Testing OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to grow the mailing list and expand the reachable demographic
- OKRs to enhance risk management approaches in our tech organization
- OKRs to streamline the onboarding process for rapid integration of new hires
- OKRs to improve the group's understanding and relatability of given information
- OKRs to attain proficient conversational skills in French using the OKRs framework
- OKRs to maximize revenue from current business operations