Use Tability to generate OKRs and initiatives in seconds.
tability.ioWhat are Cost Reduction OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Writing good OKRs can be hard, especially if it's your first time doing it. You'll need to center the focus of your plans around outcomes instead of projects.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Cost Reduction to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Cost Reduction OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Cost Reduction Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to achieve substantial operational cost reduction
ObjectiveAchieve substantial operational cost reduction
KRImplement automation in 3 high-cost operational activities to improve efficiency
Implement and monitor the automation processes- Design suitable automation strategies for each operation
- Identify 3 high-cost operations prone to automation
- KRReduce operational expenses by 15% through process optimization and waste reduction
- Identify and eliminate inefficient operational processes
- Train staff on optimized workflow processes
- Implement waste reduction measures across all departments
- KRReduce third-party vendor costs by renegotiating contracts and exploring alternative suppliers
- Research and evaluate alternative suppliers
- Develop and implement cost-effective contracts with new vendors
- Initiate negotiations for current vendor contracts
OKRs to maximize operational efficiency for cost reduction
- ObjectiveMaximize operational efficiency for cost reduction
- KRImplement cost-saving measures to decrease departmental spending by 10%
- Develop and implement more efficient operational procedures
- Introduce budget training to staff members for better resource allocation
- Analyze current departmental expenditures and identify potential areas for reduction
- KRReduce operational expenses by 15% through efficient resource allocation
- Identify areas of wastage or redundancy in current resource allocation
- Monitor and regularly reassess resource allocation efficiency
- Implement strategies to optimize use of resources effectively
- KRImprove procurement processes to save 8% on supply chain expenses
- Streamline ordering processes to eliminate unnecessary purchases
- Implement a centralized procurement strategy for better pricing and control
- Evaluate suppliers regularly, seeking more cost-efficient options
OKRs to achieve sustainable reduction in operational cost
- ObjectiveAchieve sustainable reduction in operational cost
- KRReduce supplier expenses by negotiating contracts for a 10% cost decrease
- Implement negotiation meetings with respective suppliers
- Develop a negotiation strategy for cost reduction
- Identify key suppliers and analyze current contract terms
- KRImplement automation processes in at least 2 departments to increase efficiency by 15%
- Research and procure suitable automation tools
- Implement and monitor the automation processes
- Identify processes in two departments that can be automated
- KRCut energy consumption by adopting sustainable practices resulting in 20% savings
- Install energy-efficient appliances replacing outdated ones
- Implement automated controls for heating, cooling, and lighting
- Conduct regular energy audits to identify wastage areas
OKRs to achieve significant cost reduction in metal fabrication
- ObjectiveAchieve significant cost reduction in metal fabrication
- KRIdentify and implement at least 3 cost-effective fabrication methods by the end of the quarter
- Research potential cost-effective fabrication methods
- Implement and monitor the selected methods
- Select three most viable methods for implementation
- KRNegotiate supply contracts for raw materials to lower purchase costs by 15%
- Prepare detailed negotiation strategy with cost reduction targets
- Research suppliers for competitive pricing on required raw materials
- Initiate contract negotiations with selected suppliers
- KRReduce waste material in fabrication by 20% to save costs
- Review and optimize fabrication processes to minimize waste
- Invest in waste-reducing technology or equipment
- Implement training on material efficiency for fabrication staff
OKRs to achieve significant reduction in operations cost
- ObjectiveAchieve significant reduction in operations cost
- KRDecrease monthly overhead expenses by at least 10%
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary services or subscriptions
- Negotiate lower costs with vendors or suppliers
- Implement energy-efficient practices in office operations
- KRProcure 20% of materials from lower-cost suppliers without compromising quality
- Transition 20% of orders to selected suppliers
- Conduct sample tests to ensure material quality
- Identify potential lower-cost suppliers with high-quality materials
- KRImplement automation in 3 operations processes to save labor cost
- Identify 3 operations processes suitable for automation
- Research and select suitable automation software
- Train staff on new automation tools
OKRs to reduce mobilization cost for special project set ups
- ObjectiveReduce mobilization cost for special project set ups
- KRAchieve a 15% reduction in overall setup mobilization cost through standardization
- Identify and eliminate redundant steps in setup
- Train staff on efficient, standardized practices
- Implement standard procedures for mobilization processes
- KRIncrease efficiency by 20% through reduced setup time using standard modules
- Implement standard modules across daily operations
- Invest in the training for effective use of standard modules
- Continually monitor and adjust module setup times
- KRImplement standard modules in atleast 70% of special project setups
- Identify special project setups for standard module implementation
- Prioritize bringing 70% of projects into compliance
- Train project managers in standard module usage
OKRs to optimize IT costs by reducing expenses by 20%
- ObjectiveReduce IT expenses by 20%
- KRAnalyze previous quarter expenses and identify areas for cost reduction
- Determine cost-saving opportunities
- Identify spending patterns
- Review expenses
- Implement cost reduction measures
- KREducate employees on cost-saving practices and enforce IT policies
- Regularly remind staff of cost-cutting policies
- Contain training sessions for IT policy adoption
- Monitor employee compliance with IT policies and address non-compliance
- Hold information sessions about cost-saving practices
- KRNegotiate with vendors for better pricing
- Research vendor's competitors and their rates
- Highlight your previous purchasing history with them
- Offer to sign a long-term contract for a discount
- Ask for a volume discount based on the forecasted quantity
- KRImplement solutions and track savings
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction
- Implement cost-saving solutions
- Track and report realized savings
- Prioritize solutions based on potential savings
OKRs to increase company's total revenue to 10,000,000 dollars
- ObjectiveIncrease company's total revenue to 10,000,000 dollars
- KRRetain 90% of existing clients through improved customer service
- Implement regular customer satisfaction surveys
- Train staff in advanced customer service skills
- Develop a loyalty rewards program
- KRImplement cost reduction measures to save 15% expenditure
- Negotiate better terms with suppliers and service providers
- Identify non-essential expenses and eliminate or reduce them
- Implement energy-saving initiatives in the office
- KRBoost sales by 25% through targeted marketing campaigns
- Identify key demographic for targeted marketing efforts
- Develop personalized marketing campaign for identified demographic
- Implement and monitor campaign success, adjusting as needed
OKRs to optimize CPA by reducing it by 15%
- ObjectiveDecrease CPA by 15%
- KRIdentify and pause underperforming campaigns
- Pause or adjust campaigns that consistently underperform benchmarks
- Review campaign performance metrics
- Determine performance benchmarks for each campaign
- Compare benchmarks to current campaign performance
- KROptimize landing pages for higher conversion rates
- Increase page load speed by optimizing images and minimizing text
- Simplify form fields and reduce the number of required inputs
- Conduct A/B testing to determine optimal page layout
- Create clear call-to-action button with contrasting color and placement
- KRPerform a comprehensive audit of current campaigns
- Review campaign goals and success metrics
- Evaluate ad copy and creative effectiveness
- Analyze audience targeting and segmentation
- Assess budget allocation and ROI
- KRIncrease bids on top-performing campaigns
- Monitor campaign performance to evaluate the effectiveness of bid increases
- Identify top-performing campaigns
- Implement bid increases on identified campaigns
- Analyze performance data to determine bid increase percentage
OKRs to enhance energy efficiency across all programs
- ObjectiveEnhance energy efficiency across all programs
- KRAchieve a 20% reduction in energy usage by implementing optimized practices
- Install energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs
- Implement company-wide policies for energy conservation
- Regularly monitor and analyze energy usage
- KRSecure a 15% decrease in monthly energy costs through efficiency improvements
- Install energy-efficient appliances and lighting fixtures
- Implement a company-wide energy conservation policy
- Regularly service heating and cooling systems
- KRValidate implementation with 90% employee adherence to new energy-saving procedures
- Review and adjust procedures as necessary
- Monitor and document employee compliance daily
- Conduct initial training sessions on new energy-saving procedures
How to write your own Cost Reduction OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
Cost Reduction OKR best practices
Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.
Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇
Tip #1: Limit the number of key results
The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.
We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row
Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.
Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.
How to track your Cost Reduction OKRs
Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More Cost Reduction OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to implement a robust loyalty feature in the banking app
- OKRs to achieve acknowledgment of all reported outages within SLA
- OKRs to scale and ensure long-term success of the new team
- OKRs to streamline and optimize our HR data process
- OKRs to enhance comprehension of ITIL processes
- OKRs to enhance tactical and strategic leadership skills for software developer team lead