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What are Operations Cost OKRs?
The OKR acronym stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s, and it became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s. OKRs helps teams has a shared language to set ambitious goals and track progress towards them.
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 Operations Cost 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 Operations Cost 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
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.
Operations Cost OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Operations Cost 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 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 enhance drayage gross margin via cost optimization
- ObjectiveEnhance drayage gross margin via cost optimization
- KRNegotiate and decrease supplier contracts costs by 10%
- Conduct a thorough analysis and assessment of current supplier contracts
- Define negotiation strategies aiming at a 10% cost reduction
- Initiate renegotiation meetings with selected suppliers
- KRImplement cost tracking to reduce unaccounted expenditures by 20%
- Develop and implement a structured cost tracking system
- Train staff on utilizing the cost tracking system effectively
- Perform regular audits to ensure the system's effectiveness
- KRReduce drayage operation costs by 15% through efficiency improvements
- Implement more efficient truck scheduling and routing systems
- Improve container packing to maximize capacity utilization
- Train staff on cost-effective operational practices
OKRs to streamline operations for cost efficiency
- ObjectiveStreamline operations for cost efficiency
- KRDecrease energy consumption by 20% via sustainability initiatives
- Install energy-efficient lighting and appliances throughout the facility
- Enforce strict conservation policies for water and electricity usage
- Implement a company-wide recycling program
- KRReduce supply chain costs by 15% through vendor renegotiation
- Identify areas of overspending in the current supply chain
- Research vendors with more competitive pricing
- Initiate renegotiation discussions with current suppliers
- KRImplement automation processes, lowering labor costs by 10%
- Evaluate and adjust based on savings analysis
- Implement automation software or technology
- Identify repetitive tasks suitable for automation
OKRs to increase cost management efficiency for people and operations
- ObjectiveIncrease cost management efficiency for people and operations
- KRImplement cost tracking system to monitor and analyze spend across departments
- Train department heads in cost tracking system usage
- Launch system and begin monitoring departmental expenses
- Select cost tracking software suitable for our business needs
- KRTrain managers on cost management best practices to mitigate overspending
- Follow-up on training effectiveness and changes
- Identify experts to guide practice implementation
- Arrange cost management training seminars for managers
- KRReduce operational costs by 10% through process optimization and automation
- Conduct a thorough assessment of current operational processes
- Implement process optimization and automation strategies
- Identify inefficiencies and areas for automation
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 streamline and expedite cost allocation computation process
- ObjectiveStreamline and expedite cost allocation computation process
- KRDecrease computation process by 30% through automation or process enhancement
- Design and implement automation scripts or software
- Identify areas where automation can reduce computational processes
- Evaluate and tweak enhancements for optimal efficiency
- KRSuccessfully complete 100% of cost allocation computations by day 3
- Review and finalize computations by day 3
- Start cost allocation computations on day 1
- Dedicate sufficient time and staff to computations
- KRDevelop a plan to optimize the computation method within the first 2 weeks
- Identify current computation inefficiencies
- Implement and test the chosen method
- Research alternative, optimized computation methods
OKRs to boost the overall sales in the upcoming quarter
- ObjectiveBoost the overall sales in the upcoming quarter
- KRGrow the customer base by 20% resulting in increased purchases
- Improve product offerings to stimulate higher demand
- Launch targeted marketing campaigns to attract new customers
- Implement a referral program to incentivize existing customers
- KRReduce operational costs by 15% to increase net income
- Review and analyze current operational expenses
- Implement cost-reduction strategies across operations
- Identify cost-saving opportunities in processes
- KRImplement a new upselling strategy to enhance average transaction value by 10%
- Monitor and track sales data to assess strategy effectiveness
- Train sales team to effectively execute the new upselling strategy
- Develop a new upselling strategy targeting high-value products or services
OKRs to implement cost savings/automation initiative
- ObjectiveImplement cost savings/automation initiative
- KRDevelop detailed implementation plan for chosen initiative by week 8
- Identify objectives and deliverables of the chosen initiative
- Assign roles and responsibilities related to the plan
- Develop comprehensive timeline for each task by week 8
- KRIdentify 3 potential areas for cost savings/automation by week 4
- Review current expenditures to identify key cost areas
- Analyse processes for potential automation
- Identify inefficiencies within procedures
- KRAchieve 10% cost reduction or time savings via the implemented initiative by week 12
- Set clear goals for the initiative focusing on cost reduction
- Adapt and improve strategies according to progress
- Regularly track and evaluate the initiative's performance
OKRs to minimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- ObjectiveMinimise and optimise operational expenditure effectively
- KRIncrease operational efficiency by 15% through the utilisation of lean methodologies
- Train team in lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles
- Continuously monitor, measure and adjust for improved efficiency
- Implement lean tools, such as 5S, to optimize processes
- KRImplement at least 3 cost-saving initiatives within various departments
- Develop and present cost-saving initiative proposals
- Identify potential cost-saving areas in different departments
- Implement selected cost-saving strategies in respective departments
- KRAchieve a 10% reduction in total operational costs without compromising output quality
- Negotiate lower prices with vendors
- Implement lean processes to reduce waste
- Evaluate and optimize energy usage for cost efficiency
OKRs to boost profitability via disciplined revenue and expense management
- ObjectiveBoost profitability via disciplined revenue and expense management
- KRIncrease quarterly revenue by 10% through strategic sales initiatives
- Develop and implement a comprehensive sales training program
- Optimize pricing strategy for improved profitability
- Identify and target high-revenue potential clients
- KRDecrease operating costs by 15% via efficiency improvements
- Streamline supply chain to reduce excess waste
- Identify non-essential operations that can be terminated or outsourced
- Implement energy efficient technology in the office
- KRAchieve a consistent 20% profit margin throughout the upcoming quarter
- Upsell and cross-sell to increase profits
- Analyze previous quarters to identify profitable strategies
- Streamline business operations to reduce expenses
Operations Cost 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.
Save hours with automated OKR dashboards
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
Most teams should start with a spreadsheet if they're using OKRs for the first time. Then, you can move to 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 Operations Cost OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.