Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
Business of Software Conference, profile picture
Uploaded byBusiness of Software Conference
2,158 views

Whitney O'Banner (Software Engineering Manager, Medium) - Bottoms Up With OKRs

The document discusses the concept of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), arguing that they may be overrated for early-stage organizations. It suggests a focus on tasks rather than individual OKRs, prioritizing outcomes over metrics, and advocates for a bottoms-up approach to goal setting. Key tips include ignoring cascading goals and aligning vision through shared objectives.

Software◦
Downloaded 20 times
Bottoms up with OKRs
I am Whitney O’Banner Engineering Manager at Medium Tweet me at @woobanner Hello!
They got it wrong.
They got it wrong. (so did the rest of us)
Heard of them? OKRs
“ OKRs = Overrated & Kinda Right metrics when you are too early.
YMMV (your mileage may vary)
What are OKRs?1
Objectives and Key Results 1 What are OKRs?
We will (objective) as measured by (key results).
We will go viral as measured by 5k new followers.
Why use OKRs?
Learn Big wins. Why use OKRs?
Learn Big wins. Align Shared vision. Why use OKRs?
Learn Big wins. Align Shared vision. Quantify Track progress. Why use OKRs?
Tips for better OKRs
TIP #1 Ditch individual OKRs
Individual OKRs
Individual OKRs ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘
TIP #1 Ditch individual OKRs Use tasks instead.
TIP #2 Ignore the metrics.
TIP #2 Ignore the metrics.*
TIP #2 Ignore the metrics.* Focus on outcomes.
We will go viral as measured by 5k new followers.
We will go viral as measured by more followers.
We will go viral as measured by 5k new followers.
TIP #2 Ignore the metrics.* Focus on outcomes.
TIP #3 Don’t cascade (every) goal.
“ It’s too hard to make sure all the goals line up.
Managers overvalue their ideas by 42% Employees undervalue their ideas by 11%
TIP #3 Don’t cascade (every) goal. Go bottoms up.
Recap
Recap ◉ Try tasks ◉ Focus on outcomes ◉ Go bottoms up!
Questions? You can reach me at ◉ @woobanner ◉ whitney@medium.com Thanks!