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 personal organization
- OKRs to reduce critical tech debt by 50% in six months
- OKRs to improve the accuracy of patient estimations
- OKRs to enhance self esteem and strengthen self-perception
- OKRs to successfully transition from monolith to microservices architecture
- OKRs to enhance platform performance through strategic commercial projects