How to Write Key Results (OKR Guide)
Write Key Results as measurable outcomes with a clear metric, start value, and target value. Prefer “Increase X from A to B” over task lists. Use 2–4 Key Results per Objective and update them weekly.
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Overview
This OKR guide shows how to write Key Results that prove whether an Objective is being achieved — the core skill in objectives and key results practice.
Why it matters
Weak Key Results make OKR tracking meaningless. Strong KRs create honest progress and better AI-assisted insights in tools like Axiean.
Step-by-step
- Start from the Objective outcome — what must be true?
- Pick a metric you can instrument this week.
- Record baseline (start) and ambitious but coherent target.
- Name a single owner for check-ins.
- Reject any KR that is only a task or project name.
- Load into your OKR tool and schedule weekly updates.
Examples
Strong KR
Increase free-to-paid conversion from 2.5% to 4.0%.
Weak KR
Launch pricing page redesign — rewrite as conversion or revenue impact.
Best practices
- Use numeric or percentage types when possible.
- Include both leading and lagging indicators across an Objective.
- Weight KRs when one outcome matters more.
Common mistakes
Mistake
Unmeasurable language (“improve,” “better”)No one can check in with a number.
Fix
Force a metric and range.
Frequently asked questions
How many Key Results per Objective?
Best practice is 2–4. One is narrow; more than five dilutes focus.