Top 8 Features that a OKR Software must have

The only measure that matters is improved results - an improved client condition, in this case represented by objectives met and validated by key metrics.

by Alan Weiss

Google is an important organization that comes to mind when it comes to setting goals and achieving success. A large part of Google's success can be traced back to their legendary OKRs and can be attributed to the company’s success in the industry.

Consequently, it's no wonder that everyone desires to emulate Google's approach to goal setting and, possibly, their meteoric success.

OKRs mean 'Objectives and Key Results.'

OKRs are a popular goal-setting technique that enables employees to accomplish both personal and organizational goals.

OBJECTIVES are things you want to accomplish, and KEY RESULTS are a measurable way to track your progress. OKR software enables employees to track the progress of their goals quickly. However, making the right choice from many options available in the market can be difficult for an organization.

Look for the following eight features before investing in OKR software for your organization.

1. Tailor made for Objectives and Key Results

When choosing OKR software, this should be your primary criterion. The complexities of the OKR methodology are unlikely to be supported by general goals management software. The most significant limitation of generic systems is that it is impossible to predict how far you will deviate from OKR concepts.

2. Scalable from small to large teams

Performance, security, and robustness of the software application are only a few of the issues that need to be addressed. These should, at all costs, meet the highest industry standards. But, perhaps most importantly, the OKR software should evolve in tandem with your process as well as changes in team composition. For example, you might want to provide progress updates every two weeks at first, but as the team grows, you might want to provide weekly progress updates. It could also work the other way around; the frequency decreases as the team size increases. Whichever direction your process takes, the OKR tool should be able to evolve along with it.

3. Affordable

Although OKRs have shown to be highly effective, they are not as complicated as many businesses believe. The fact that Google used to manage its OKRs in spreadsheets for an extended period indicates its simplicity. Furthermore, they continue to use an internal tool that does not have many fancy features to their advantage. The obvious point we are attempting to make is the tool's affordability. Before making any purchasing decisions, develop a business case and perform an ROI analysis. Tools that consume a sizable portion of your budget do not always equate to being magic wands for your team.

4. OKR Software Should be easy to use

The OKR software should be easy to use and should be user-friendly. Users should be able to comprehend the software's operation with minimal or no training. The user interface should be clean and clutter-free. The simpler the software is, the easier it is for all to use. Understanding and the usage of the OKR software shouldn't be a new project by itself for all. It should also be compatible with other tools or processes as well. The ease of use and user-friendliness of the software determines its adoption rate.

5. Flexible and Customizable

OKR software should be flexible and easily customizable. Check-ins for OKRs/Goals can be in the form of a percentage, a quantity, or a specific milestone. Users should be able to use the software to check in on their okrs/goals as needed. Flexible and customizable software will benefit the organization in the long term.

6. Smart Dashboards

Key Results are quantifiable, which means that data on goals achieved, individual progress, and overall adoption are derived as measurable metrics.OKR dashboards reflect various indicators, helping to focus on lagging goals, stay aligned with the company's priorities, and help improve performance. Thus, organizations must select OKR goal-setting software that includes actionable dashboards to Reflect overall progress toward achieving goals within a month, quarter, or year. Visualize and measure goals that align with business goals. Identify bottlenecks that are to be addressed at the departmental and corporate levels.

7. Cascade and Align

OKR software must facilitate the goal alignment between the company's leadership team. Alignment ensures that everyone understands their objectives and how their actions contribute to the success of the business. As a result, OKR software is the ideal goal-setting tool for organizations with ambitious plans and a desire to achieve the best outcomes possible as a benchmark of success.

8. Integrated into the 'Flow of Work'

It is critical to ensure a seamless user experience using OKR goal-setting software to define objectives and key results. Poor alignment between employees may result in an increased chance of failing to accomplish targeted goals. Ensure that an effective OKR strategy is integrated into the workflow so that employees can flow smoothly, focus on their progress, and achieve better results. The above-mentioned OKR software features can assist small businesses, and large enterprises set realistic business goals and manage performance. The OKRsoftwareforall is an ideal tool to set high business goals, unleash employee potential, and drive business impact if you want to implement a robust OKR tool in your organization.