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tability.ioWhat are Research 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 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.
Research Development OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Research 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 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 enhance capability as an institutional research analyst in higher education
- ObjectiveEnhance capability as an institutional research analyst in higher education
- KRAttend 3 professional development webinars on higher education research analysis techniques
- Participate and take notes during each webinar
- Sign up for the chosen webinars
- Identify 3 webinars focused on higher education research analysis techniques
- KRMentor and guide 2 junior research analysts to improve their capability development
- Provide direct training on necessary software/tools
- Develop a personalized growth plan for each analyst
- Establish regular weekly meetings for guidance and feedback
- KRDevelop, present, and implement 1 strategic initiative to improve research methodologies
- Identify weakness in current research methodologies
- Create strategic initiative for process improvement
- Present and implement strategy to team
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 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 strengthen and broaden critical thinking skills
- ObjectiveStrengthen and broaden critical thinking skills
- KRComplete 3 distinct, comprehensive problem-solving exercises per week
- Allocate specific time for each exercise's completion
- Evaluate and review the problem-solving process weekly
- Choose three unique, complex problems to solve each week
- KRRead and critically analyze 2 new academic or scientific articles per month
- Thoroughly read each article
- Write a critical analysis of each article
- Select two academic or scientific articles
- KRAttend 1 workshop or seminar on logic or reasoning each month
- Research upcoming workshops or seminars on logic or reasoning
- Schedule the event into your personal calendar
- Register for one event of interest each month
OKRs to develop a compelling game that engages and captivates players
- ObjectiveDevelop a compelling game that engages and captivates players
- KRDevelop a functional prototype of the game with polished graphics and intuitive controls
- Implement and refine intuitive controls based on user experience and usability testing
- Iterate on the game design based on user feedback and playtesting results
- Conduct user testing to identify any issues with the game controls
- Collaborate with an artist to create high-quality graphics for the game prototype
- KRConduct user research to identify target audience preferences and game themes
- Develop a survey to gather user feedback on preferred game themes
- Use findings to inform game theme selection and prioritize target audience preferences
- Conduct interviews with target audience members to understand their preferences
- Analyze user research data to identify common themes and preferences
- KRConduct playtesting sessions to gather feedback and iterate on the game design
- KRCreate a detailed game design document outlining gameplay mechanics, levels, and objectives
- Outline basic gameplay mechanics that will define the core experience of the game
- Create clear and specific objectives for each level, ensuring they align with gameplay mechanics
- Design a series of diverse levels that challenge and engage players
- Research popular gameplay mechanics, level design techniques, and objective structures
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
OKRs to improve understanding of OKRs
- ObjectiveImprove understanding of OKRs
- KRRead at least two books or articles about OKRs to deepen understanding
- Research top books on OKRs and make a list of two to read
- Set aside dedicated time every week to read and focus on OKR materials
- Discuss key takeaways with colleagues or mentors to enhance comprehension
- Take notes while reading to summarize main concepts and ideas
- KRAttend a training session on OKRs to gain foundational knowledge
- Attend and actively participate in the OKR training session
- Prepare a notebook or document to take notes during the training session
- Research online for a reputable training session on OKRs
- Register for the chosen training session on OKRs
- KRCreate and successfully implement a personal OKR to apply knowledge gained
- KRDiscuss OKRs with at least three colleagues to gather different perspectives
- Engage actively in conversations with colleagues to understand their perspectives
- Take notes during discussions to capture different insights on OKRs
- Schedule a meeting with colleagues to discuss OKRs
- Prepare a list of questions to prompt discussion on OKRs
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 innovate healthcare to improve human well-being
- ObjectiveInnovate healthcare to improve human well-being
- KREstablish partnerships with five health technology companies for collaborative research
- Identify potential health technology companies for partnership
- Send partnership proposals detailing collaborative research
- Negotiate partnership agreement terms
- KRObtain regulatory approvals for two new healthcare products designed for well-being
- Complete all documentation for the regulatory submission
- Submit the new products to regulatory bodies
- Address feedback from the regulatory bodies promptly
- KRDevelop a prototype for a healthcare app aiming at patient comfort by 20%
- Develop initial design and functionality parameters for the app prototype
- Initiate the coding and testing phases for the app prototype
- Conduct user research on existing healthcare apps for patient comfort features
How to write your own Research Development 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.
Research 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
Having too many OKRs is the #1 mistake that teams make when adopting the framework. The problem with tracking too many competing goals is that it will be hard for your team to know what really matters.
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
Setting good goals can be challenging, but without regular check-ins, your team will struggle to make progress. We recommend that you track your OKRs weekly to get the full benefits from the framework.
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 Research Development OKRs
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 a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
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 Research Development OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance efficiency and accuracy in assurance audit process
- OKRs to drive continuous improvement in performance and efficiency
- OKRs to successfully sunset Rapid7 platform
- OKRs to attain full functionality of the prototype
- OKRs to launch the mobile app for health professionals successfully
- OKRs to enhance platform performance through strategic commercial projects