Glossary
OKRs, explained
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) pair a qualitative objective with two to five measurable key results that show whether it was reached. Andy Grove developed the method at Intel; John Doerr brought it to Google and wrote about it in Measure What Matters (2018).
What it means
The objective says where you want to go; the key results say how you will know you got there. They are usually set per quarter. What OKRs do not say is when the work happens, which is where a weekly plan comes in.
How to do it in a calendar
- Set one objective and three key results for the quarter.
- For each key result, decide the weekly activity that moves it.
- Put those activities in recurring blocks and track them weekly.
An example
Objective: become the go-to designer for fintech startups. KR: 10 case studies published, 40 conversations with founders, 3 retainer clients. Weekly blocks: case study 3 h, outreach 5 × 30 min.
Common mistakes
- Activities as key results. "Send emails" is an activity; "40 conversations" is a result.
- No link to the calendar. A KR without weekly time behind it is a hope.
Where it comes from
John Doerr, Measure What Matters (2018); Andy Grove, High Output Management (1983).
Questions
Are OKRs useful for one person?
Yes, if kept small: one objective and a few key results per quarter, reviewed weekly.
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