Company OKR
Company OKRs are strategic objectives at the organizational level that set the overarching direction for all teams and serve as guardrails for team OKRs.
Company OKRs sit at the top of the OKR hierarchy and define the strategic priorities of the entire organization for the coming quarter. They are typically defined by the leadership team or executive management.
Good company OKRs are ambitious, inspiring, and give teams enough room for their own interpretation. They describe the 'what' at a strategic level and leave the 'how' to the teams.
When formulating company OKRs, it's important to balance direction-setting with autonomy. Overly detailed company OKRs restrict team creativity; overly abstract OKRs don't provide sufficient guidance.
Related Terms
Team OKR
Team OKRs are the objectives and key results that a team jointly defines and owns for an OKR cycle. They form the core of most OKR implementations.
Alignment
Alignment in the OKR context means that team and individual Objectives are connected to and coordinated with the company's strategic goals. It creates a clear line of sight from company vision to every individual's daily work.
Strategy Map
A Strategy Map is a visual representation showing how OKRs at different organizational levels connect and support each other. It reveals alignment gaps, dependencies, and strategic priorities at a glance.
Cascading
Cascading is the structured process of translating higher-level OKRs into team and individual OKRs. It ensures strategic goals flow through all levels of the organization while teams retain the autonomy to define their own contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many company OKRs should an organization have?
Maximum 3-5 Objectives per quarter. The fewer, the clearer the focus. Many successful companies work with just 2-3 company OKRs to ensure maximum clarity.
Who defines company OKRs?
Typically the leadership team or C-level, ideally with input from the organization. A proven approach: Leadership defines a proposal, which is then discussed and refined in a company workshop.
How do I ensure team OKRs contribute to company OKRs?
Through alignment workshops where teams link their OKRs to company OKRs. Tools like Northly visualize these connections in a Strategy Map and automatically highlight gaps.
Must all team OKRs contribute to company OKRs?
No. About 60-70% of team OKRs should contribute to company OKRs. The remaining 30-40% can address team-specific improvements or technical debt important for long-term success.