When looking to set OKRs, it’s understandable to want examples to spark inspiration—or at least compare with others to see if you’re stretching enough. The actual formula for an OKR is simple: Objectives are goals and intents, while Key Results are time-bound and measurable milestones under these goals and intents. So, what are some good examples of OKRs to express this equation?


Say for example you’re planning a meeting. John Doerr recommends these OKRs:

O: Meaningfully improve your operating excellence in the next hour, as measured by:

KRs:

  1. Finishing the session on time
  2. Getting a 4+ quality rating from our first draft of team OKRs
  3. 100% commitment to trying OKRs


While there are three Key Results here, the maximum you should have is five. An organization should have no more than 3-5 Objectives and they should all fit one line.

What are some other good examples OKRs? This example by former Google employee Niket Desai imagines how Uber might express their OKRs:


Objective: Increase Drivers in System

KR 1: Increase driver base in each region by 20%

KR 2: Increase driver average session to 26 hours / weekly in all active regions

Objective: Increase Geographic Coverage of Drivers

KR 1: Increase coverage of SF to 100%

KR 2: Increase coverage for all active cities to 75%

KR 3: Decrease pickup time to < 10 mins in any coverage area during peak hours of usage

Objective: Increase Driver Happiness

KR 1: Define and measure driver happiness score

KR 2: Increase driver happiness score to 75th percentile


A variation on the football example of a cascading OKR cycle comes from Measure What Matters and uses John Doerr’s analogy to express how the Key Results of senior colleagues become the Objectives of those under them.

Say for example you’re the Head Coach of a professional soccer team. Your OKRs might be:


O: Win World Cup

KRs:

  1. Passing attack amasses 700+ meters per game
  2. Defense allows fewer than 3 points per game
  3. Special-teams unit ranks in top 3 in punts return coverage

With that OKR, the OKRs of the Offensive Coach become:

O: Generate 700-meters-per-game passing attack.

KRs:

  1. Achieve 65% pass completion rate
  2. Cut interceptions to fewer than 3 per game
  3. Hire new center midfielder coach

...and continues on from there until each soccer team member has their own OKRs. Like a good math problem, the order is descending.