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What are Operational 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.
OKRs are quickly gaining popularity as a goal-setting framework. But, it's not always easy to know how to write your goals, especially if it's your first time using OKRs.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Operational Cost Reduction to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
The best tools for writing perfect Operational Cost Reduction OKRs
Here are 2 tools that can help you draft your OKRs in no time.
Tability AI: to generate OKRs based on a prompt
Tability AI allows you to describe your goals in a prompt, and generate a fully editable OKR template in seconds.
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Click on the Generate goals using AI
- 3. Describe your goals in a prompt
- 4. Get your fully editable OKR template
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Tability Feedback: to improve existing OKRs
You can use Tability's AI feedback to improve your OKRs if you already have existing goals.
- 1. Create your Tability account
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on Generate analysis
- 4. Review the suggestions and decide to accept or dismiss them
- 5. Publish to start tracking progress and get automated OKR dashboards
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Tability 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.
Operational Cost Reduction OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Operational Cost Reduction Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
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 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 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 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 increase overall company revenue
ObjectiveIncrease overall company revenue
KRReduce operational expenditures by 10% for increased profit margins
Identify inefficient processes and implement cost-saving improvements
Negotiate lower prices with suppliers and service providers
Reduce unnecessary business travels and meetings
KRLaunch new 2 revenue streams and achieve 15% revenue contribution from them
Develop robust business plans for each stream
Identify profitable markets to establish new revenue streams
Implement, monitor, and adjust strategies to achieve 15% revenue
KRBoost product sales by 20% through enhanced marketing strategies
Develop targeted social media advertisement campaigns
Conduct SEO optimization for product listings
Implement email marketing with promotional content
Operational 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
Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your 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
Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.
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.
Save hours with automated OKR dashboards
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OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full benefits from the 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 Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.
How to get Tability dashboards:
- 1. Create a Tability account
- 2. Use the importers to add your OKRs (works with any spreadsheet or doc)
- 3. Publish your OKR plan
That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.
More Operational Cost Reduction OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to fully integrate Abnormal Security tool in SecOps ecosystem with IT partnership
OKRs to boost labor retention rate
OKRs to achieve regulatory compliance and manage change within budget
OKRs to achieve HR certification
OKRs to successfully complete project within the allotted time frame
OKRs to enhance benefits promotion for higher utilization rates