4 customisable OKR examples for Workflow Automation

What are Workflow Automation 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 Workflow Automation 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.

Building your own Workflow Automation 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 Workflow Automation OKRs examples

You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Workflow Automation. 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 implement simplified and automated work processes through expertise

Implement simplified and automated work processes through expertise
Create and roll out automated systems for at least 50% of simplified processes by Week 12
Implement automation for identified processes
Develop strategic plan and timeline for automation rollout
Identify which processes can be automated
Apply expertise to simplify 70% of identified processes by Week 8
Identify methods for simplification of 70% of processes
Analyze and document the existing identified processes
Implement, test, and refine simplified processes by Week 8
Identify and document 10 existing processes that are prime for simplification by Week 4
Select 10 complex processes within the operations department
Document the step-by-step of each process
Analyze and identify possible simplification areas

Implement this OKR

2. OKRs to elevate overall operational efficiency

Elevate overall operational efficiency
Cut process time by 15% through workflow automation
Identify repetitive, manual tasks suitable for automation
Train staff on using the automation tools
Implement workflow automation software in identified areas
Reduce operational errors by 10% via implementing Six-Sigma principles
Integrate Six-Sigma practices into daily operational procedures
Train staff in the principles and tools of Six-Sigma methodology
Identify areas of operational inefficiency using Six-Sigma's DMAIC method
Increase productivity by 20% through employee skill enhancement programs
Implement an incentive program for continuous learning achievements
Develop comprehensive training modules for employee skill enhancement
Regularly monitor and evaluate individual progress in skill development

workflow-automation six-sigma-principles operations-manager training-officer operations-team training-and-development-team

Implement this OKR

3. OKRs to enhance operational efficiency in workflows

Enhance operational efficiency in workflows
Train 80% of the team on new efficiency-focused strategies and tools
Organize training sessions for team members
Follow up on the progress and understanding of trained team members
Identify appropriate efficiency-focused strategies and tools for training
Cut down on unnecessary tasks by 15% through process reevaluation
Identify and list all current tasks
Evaluate necessity and efficiency of each task
Implement changes to reduce unnecessary tasks
Reduce process cycle times by 10% using automation tools
Continuously monitor and optimize automated processes
Implement appropriate automation tools
Identify processes that can be efficiently automated

operational-efficiency automation team-leader process-manager operations project-management

Implement this OKR

4. OKRs to enhance operational efficiency across all workflows

Enhance operational efficiency across all workflows
Reduce task redundancy by identifying and eliminating 20% of duplicate tasks
Implement plan to remove 20% of these duplicates
Identify duplicate tasks in existing workflow
Analyze impact of eliminating identified duplicates
Reduce processing time by 15% for key operational activities
Implement efficient technologies to streamline operational processes
Train staff on time management skills and faster work methods
Identify and eliminate unneeded steps in current procedures
Implement two new process automation tools to minimize manual intervention
Research and select two process automation tools suitable for our needs
Train staff on how to utilize these new tools
Purchase and install the selected automation tools

operational-efficiency process-automation operational-manager process-improvement-specialist operations-team process-improvement-team

Implement this OKR

Workflow Automation 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

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.

Tability's audit dashboard will highlight opportunities to improve OKRs

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.

Tability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparency

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 turn your Workflow Automation OKRs in a strategy map

The rules of OKRs are simple. Quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly, and yearly OKRs should be tracked monthly. 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.

Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

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 Workflow Automation OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

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.

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