Tability is a cheatcode for goal-driven teams. Set perfect OKRs with AI, stay focused on the work that matters.
What are Research And Development 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.
Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Research And Development 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 Research And Development 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.
Research And Development OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Research And Development. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to establish lead and supporting themes for research development strategy
ObjectiveEstablish lead and supporting themes for research development strategy
KRImplement lead and support themes into our strategy securing 3 signed-off approvals
Identify potential lead and support themes for our strategy
Secure three approvals for the revised strategy
Integrate selected themes into our existing business plan
KRDevelop supporting theme by analyzing 10 successfully implemented research strategies
Analyze each research strategy for common themes
Develop an overarching supporting theme from analysis
Identify 10 successful research strategies from various sources
KRIdentify and confirm lead theme by collaborating with 5 industry experts
Confirm the lead theme through expert consensus
Schedule and conduct interviews with 5 industry experts
Compare, analyse, and identify consistent theme in their responses
OKRs to promulgate pioneering perspectives on essential technological sectors
ObjectivePromulgate pioneering perspectives on essential technological sectors
KRSecure 5 external speaking engagements to present our technology views
Identify relevant tech conferences and summits for speaking opportunities
Draft compelling presentation proposals highlighting our technology views
Submit proposals and follow up for confirmation
KRAttend and contribute to 10 industry leading tech forums or conferences
Register and participate actively in the chosen events
Prepare insightful topics or questions for each event
Identify 10 leading tech forums or conferences to attend
KRProduce 15 detailed white papers on key technology areas
Identify and select 15 key technology areas for research
Allocate resources for intensive research and writing
Edit, review, and finalize each white paper
OKRs to accelerate and enhance pharmaceutical R&D processes
ObjectiveAccelerate and enhance pharmaceutical R&D processes
KRStreamline R&D decision-making process by reducing unnecessary stages by 25%
Implement the new streamlined process
Develop a simplified decision-making workflow
Identify redundant stages in the current R&D process
KRIncrease the number of successful drug trials by 20%
Enhance the selection process for trial participants
Invest in more advanced research equipment and techniques
Provide additional training for research staff
KRReduce research inefficiencies by implementing 2 new automation technologies
Identify 2 promising automation technologies for research processes
Train research staff on utilizing the new technologies efficiently
Install and integrate the selected automation technologies
OKRs to develop innovative pharmaceutical products
ObjectiveDevelop innovative pharmaceutical products
KRDevelop and test 2 prototypes with satisfactory patient outcomes
Conduct patient outcome tests on prototypes
Identify key components for prototype based on patient needs
Build and refine two prototype designs
KRConduct research to identify 3 potential active pharmaceutical ingredients
Identify key drugs suitable for pharmaceutical component research
Conduct thorough research on potential active ingredients
Document findings for each potential ingredient
KRSecure regulatory approval for 1 new pharmaceutical product
Respond promptly to regulatory feedback and additional information requests
Conduct rigorous clinical trials for safety and efficacy
Develop and submit detailed dossier to regulatory authority
OKRs to elevate recycling and waste collection performance
ObjectiveElevate recycling and waste collection performance
KRDevelop 5 strategic partnerships for facilitating recycling programs
Identify potential partners active in supporting recycling initiatives
Initiate meetings to negotiate and finalize partnerships
Draft a partnership proposal detailing mutual benefits
KRConduct 10 comprehensive studies to identify recycling advancements
Identify specific areas for studying recycling advancements
Begin conducting the comprehensive studies
Allocate resources and experts for each study
KRIncrease service efficiency by 30% through technological improvements
Identify where technology can boost service procedures
Continuously monitor and adjust tech enhancements
Implement relevant software upgrades and automation
OKRs to enhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
ObjectiveEnhance service delivery through innovation and benchmarking
KRCreate and implement 2 innovative solutions to transform existing services
Develop prototypes of the 2 selected solutions
Implement and test these innovative solutions in live services
Brainstorm new, innovative ways to enhance current services
KRBenchmark against 5 industry leaders to identify and implement best practices
Analyze their best practices and methodologies
Identify top 5 industry leaders for benchmark comparison
Incorporate identified best practices into our operations
KRIncrease service delivery efficiency by 30% using new technological advancements
Investigate latest technology advancements in service delivery
Monitor and evaluate tech system effectiveness regularly
Implement new tech systems to streamline service processes
OKRs to amplify growth and stimulate innovation
ObjectiveAmplify growth and stimulate innovation
KRIncrease net revenue by 15%
Improve sales strategies to attract more customers
Implement cost-saving measures across all departments
Introduce new, higher-margin products or services
KRObtain 5 patents for new processes or technology
Prepare detailed patent application documentation
Research and develop new technological processes or advancements
Submit applications to patent office
KRLaunch 2 new innovative products
Initiate design and production processes for new products
Develop unique concepts for two innovative products
Formulate marketing strategies for product launch
OKRs to enhance understanding and application of copyright laws
ObjectiveEnhance understanding and application of copyright laws
KRComplete a certified online course on copyright laws by securing at least 85%
Review thoroughly to achieve a minimum score of 85%
Register for a certified online course on copyright laws
Dedicate regular study hours to comprehend course material effectively
KRAttend 3 copyright-related webinars or workshops to deepen contextual understanding
Attend and participate in all chosen activities
Register for selected webinars or workshops
Research and identify 3 copyright-related webinars or workshops
KRApply learned theories by reviewing and updating 5 copyright agreements per week
Review weekly assigned copyright agreements
Submit revised agreements for approval
Apply learned theories to update agreements
OKRs to drive business expansion through innovative strategies
ObjectiveDrive business expansion through innovative strategies
KRSecure two strategic partnerships for innovation collaboration
Reach out initiating discussions for collaboration
Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements
Identify potential partners aligned with our innovation goals
KRIncrease innovation portfolio returns by at least 20%
Expand business partnerships for diverse insights
Invest in research and employee training programs
Implement new technologies to optimize processes
KRDevelop and initiate 3 new high-impact innovative projects
Formulate project plans detailing the execution strategy
Initiate the projects by gathering necessary resources
Identify potential areas for high-impact innovative projects
OKRs to improve business acumen through literature
ObjectiveImprove business acumen through literature
KRWrite a succinct summary after each read to cement learning
Immediately after reading, jot down key points from the material
Create a concise summary using the jotted points
Review your summary to ensure it's accurate
KRConsume 20 industry-specific articles weekly
Locate and bookmark 20 industry-related articles each week
Summarize key insights gleaned from each article
Devote daily time to read four articles
KRRead at least 3 business-related books completely
Select three business-related books to read
Finish reading all three books
Schedule regular time slots to focus on reading
Research And Development 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 Research And Development OKR dashboards

Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the 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
We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using 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 Research And Development OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to enhance the website specially for our ideal customer profile (ICP)
OKRs to boost the overall interest income
OKRs to improve team productivity and efficiency
OKRs to streamline DevOps processes for optimized efficiency and reliability
OKRs to enhance app experience through the implementation of product design best practices
OKRs to roll out employee benefits