OKR Traps which slows you down!
Objective Key Results is more than a buzzword if you are an individual or an organization that sets specific goals to achieve a road map. But just having the goals will set you straight? There are Traps you would run into without knowing if you are not vigilant on the progress.
As a part of becoming an OKR consultant in the longer run, this is an effort to investigate Top 03 traps that could slow you down when your try to become goal-oriented, according to my experience and learning. Have your way
When you have too many GOALS
There is a lot on our plate, and we want to achieve them all. Is it possible with limited time and resources having? That is where we should do the reality check on which are more critical and which are realistic to achieve within the period. Then we should be able to narrow it down to what matters to you most. Having too many goals to achieve without prioritizing will reduce the focus on achieving goals knowing there are many to address. Eventually, given the time, there will be many half done goals but no completed goals. Demotivated and exhausted “You” at the end. Don’t get Traped, have fewer specific & realistic Goals which are matters most to you.
When you’re not clear What Matters Most
We set OKRs to achieve specific goals according to the road map set or vision board etc. These OKR’s spread across the agreed period. The whole purpose of having OKR’s would say “To achieve effectively”. But have we understood What Matters Most? Before we set OKR’s, it is critical to understand the essential/high-level expectations for the period and their expected outcome. Then only we should set OKR’s. Unless otherwise, we shall be driving towards the wrong address or without a destination. It will be a waste of time and resources without the expected outcome. To be a master in OKR’s know where you are heading, with a purpose. Avoid this Trap at any cost. Remember goals not to be too complex & too simple.
When GOALS are too narrowed
As narrated in the above sections, we tend to achieve specific outcomes from the goals we are setting. To achieve the intended effect, we are setting Objectives and Key Results. Setting the objective needs to be high level and complete with all the necessary information. Within that scope, we will define key results. Should not narrow down the goal as a practice; it definitely will divert the focus of achieving the intended outcome. While the scope of work is limited, external links/triggers will not be visible, which contributes to our objective directly/indirectly in a critical manner. We will lose the bigger picture to ourselves, and our thinking pattern will be limited to a very narrow space.
These are Traps out and about; if we walk blindly, we will get trapped. Yes, we can get out of the Trap or it could end our journey. These are common neglected traps as per my industry experience & learning. Knowing the Traps can make OKRs practical and achievable. OKR’s is a framework that can turn individuals/organizations into efficient & productive entities; having that in mind, let’s not get trapped.
About Chathura D. Wijeratne
Project Management is my passion and profession, working with organisations with medium to high-end projects to optimize their delivery process | workflows and strategies’. aving solid 9+ years of project management experience with well over 3+ Agile Project Management experience.
