Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
OKRs—Helpful or Harmful?
Summary
Join Bria Alexander, DesignOps 2022 curator, in conversation with Design Operations leaders Benson Low, Natalya Pemberton, and Stephanie Goldthorpe to discuss the help (or the harm) in setting OKRs.
Key Insights
-
•
OKRs work best when teams feel ownership of the key results connected to organizational objectives.
-
•
Enforcing OKRs individually across all roles can cause resistance, especially among junior engineers.
-
•
OKRs are as much a mindset and a tool for collaborative alignment as a goal-setting framework.
-
•
Language and framing of OKRs should be customer-centric and value-focused, not solely business outcomes.
-
•
OKRs can foster cross-team conversations about interdependencies that did not exist previously.
-
•
Measurement in OKRs can and should include qualitative, quantitative, milestone-based, and aspirational metrics.
-
•
OKRs may not fit all organizations or teams; in such cases alternative goal-setting tools or prioritization models can be used.
-
•
OKRs should be iterative with regular check-ins allowing teams to pivot based on outcomes and realities.
-
•
Setting too many or unrealistic OKRs can demotivate teams; focus and selectivity are critical.
-
•
Successful OKRs help design leaders secure a seat at the strategic table and influence broader organizational goals.
Notable Quotes
"When teams are connected to real strategic missions and own their key results, OKRs become positive."
"Junior engineers often resent having to create OKRs that feel disconnected from their day-to-day work."
"It's okay to try and mess up your OKRs in the first few quarters and learn from it."
"OKRs are not one-size-fits-all; you have to shape them based on your organizational context and culture."
"Language matters—make your OKRs user-centric and customer-focused to avoid them feeling like overhead."
"OKRs can sometimes suck the oxygen out of the room if they focus only on bottom-line results, missing process and experience."
"Celebrate progress continuously and use OKRs as a learning process to evolve goals and strategies."
"Accessibility is a great example where OKRs can unify multiple product and design teams to a non-negotiable standard."
"OKRs help highlight intentions to leadership and open up conversations that generate alignment and support."
"An OKR coach told us to think of OKRs like a health panel at a physical—you have KPIs for status and OKRs for change targets."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"If you value innovation and design, then you're investing in creativity."
Dr. Karl JeffriesThe Science of Creativity for DesignOps
January 8, 2024
"The culture between buyer and user impacts feature adoption and overall satisfaction."
Amy MarquezINVEST: Discussion
June 15, 2018
"The weakest insight method might win simply because of the relationship to the power structure."
Steve Portigal Chris Chapo Kelly Goto Christian RohrerDiscussion
May 13, 2015
"One designer's security in a dedicated model may be another designer's stagnation."
Alicia MootyDesign Staffing Models
September 30, 2021
"We may not have tech prowess but our sticky notes, card sorts, and test reports are our real superpowers."
Ana Maria Montero Barrantes Aditi Dhar Michelle Kaplan Nate Osborne Matt LaurenceThe Authentic UX Talent Show
January 8, 2024
"The ultimate measure is bringing value so people invite you back to work with them again and again."
Lada Gorlenko Sharbani Dhar Sébastien Malo Rob Mitzel Ivana Ng Michal Anne RogondinoTheme 1: Discussion
January 8, 2024
"Our principle is that whatever we build must help researchers avoid becoming a silo."
Sofia QuinteroThe Product Philosophy Behind EnjoyHQ
March 10, 2021
"Lawyers, though nervous, can become some of the most reasonable people you deal with if you explain risks clearly."
Laura KleinUnique challenges of innovation in enterprises
April 23, 2020
"Marketing is an essential collaborator because they help package and communicate insights organization-wide."
Andrew MichaelBuilding a Product Insights Team
March 10, 2022
