Tability is a cheatcode for goal-driven teams. Set perfect OKRs with AI, stay focused on the work that matters.
What are Researcher 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 Researcher 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 Researcher 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.
Researcher OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Researcher. 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 hire top-level Senior UX Researcher
ObjectiveHire top-level Senior UX Researcher
KRScreen and shortlist at least 10 suitable candidates by week 4
Launch a comprehensive job ad campaign immediately
Shortlist 10 suitable candidates by week 4
Review all received applications daily
KRConduct interviews and make an offer to the selected candidate by week 8
Compile a list of potential interview candidates
Schedule and conduct interviews
Select and make offer to chosen candidate
KRDefine clear job description and requirements for the UX Researcher role by week 2
Detail daily responsibilities and tasks for role
Outline necessary qualifications and skills for UX Researcher role
Include long-term goals and expectations for position
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 elevate productivity in academic research
ObjectiveElevate productivity in academic research
KRImplement and maintain a research schedule, ensuring minimum 5 hours of effective work daily
Draft a dedicated 5-hour daily research schedule
Regularly evaluate and adjust schedule for effectiveness
Implement routine to follow the established research schedule
KRSubmit two high-quality research pieces for publication review
Conduct comprehensive research on chosen topics
Submit papers for publication review
Write and edit two research papers
KRAttend at least 3 professional development workshops related to research methods or practices
Ensure participation in each workshop attended
Register for the chosen professional development workshops
Identify suitable workshops focused on research methods
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 successfully reach the summit of the highest mountain
ObjectiveSuccessfully reach the summit of the highest mountain
KRComplete comprehensive high-altitude training course within 30% above standard duration
Allocate 30% additional time for extensive practice sessions
Enroll in a comprehensive high-altitude training course
Consistently attend and complete all course activities
KRAttain a minimum fitness level required for climbing big mountains as per standards
Enroll in a professional mountain climbing training program
Stick to a regular, mountain-specific exercise routine
Follow a high protein, balanced diet for muscle building
KRAcquire necessary gear and equipment, prioritizing safety and durability for extreme conditions
Prioritize safety and durability when purchasing
Research and list necessary gear for extreme conditions
Inspect gear for defects before using
OKRs to broaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
ObjectiveBroaden understanding of agent's role in business operations
KRAttend two professional seminars or webinars focused on the agent's role in the business
Register for two chosen professional seminars or webinars
Attend and actively participate in these webinars
Research upcoming webinars focused on the agent's role in business
KRConduct informational interviews with five business agents to gain first-hand information
Schedule and conduct interviews with selected agents
Identify five business agents relevant to the project
Draft insightful questions to ask during interviews
KRComplete three agent case studies with cross-industry analysis by quarter-end
Identify three agent cases from diverse industries for study
Compile findings and complete final report by quarter-end
Perform a detailed cross-industry analysis on chosen case studies
OKRs to enhance understanding of royalty structures in business contexts
ObjectiveEnhance understanding of royalty structures in business contexts
KRInterview 3 professionals in the field of royalties in businesses
Draft relevant interview questions tailored for each professional
Identify three professionals in the royalties business field
Schedule and conduct the three interviews
KRRead and summarise 5 books related to business royalties
Write a concise summary for each book
Select and procure 5 relevant books about business royalties
Carefully read and interpret each book
KRDevelop and present a detailed report on the role of royalties in business
Prepare a presentation highlighting report findings
Research the significance and mechanism of royalties in business
Compile gathered data into a comprehensive report
OKRs to develop a comprehensive monolingual dictionary
ObjectiveDevelop a comprehensive monolingual dictionary
KRImplement and test a user-friendly search and organization system
Develop a prototype of the search and organization system
Run usability tests with a sample of users
Revise system based on user feedback
KRGet a 90% positive feedback score from 100 beta users for the dictionary usability
Implement real-time customer support to resolve user issues swiftly
Conduct surveys to gain precise user feedback on dictionary usability
Improve dictionary interface based on previous user testing feedback
KRList out 10,000 words with detailed definitions and usage by end of the quarter
Write detailed definitions and usage for each word
Research and collect 10,000 words from reliable resources
Proofread, edit, and finalise the word list
OKRs to understand elite processes in sports
ObjectiveUnderstand elite processes in sports
KRInterview 10 professional athletes from diverse sports within one quarter
Identify and list 10 athletes from diverse sports for interviews
Prepare relevant questions and conduct interviews
Reach out to athletes or their managers to schedule interviews
KRRead and summarise 5 published studies or books on elite sporting processes
Create a comprehensive summary of each selected study or book
Select and obtain five reputable studies or books on elite sporting processes
Carefully read each study or book, making notes of key points
KRDevelop a 10-point elitism framework derived from athlete interviews and literature analysis
OKRs to integrate UX testing insights into decision-making
ObjectiveImprove decision-making with UX testing insights
KRIncrease user satisfaction rating by 10%
KRTrain 3 non-UX team members on conducting and interpreting UX tests
KRImplement changes based on user feedback in 100% of cases
KRConduct 10 user tests for at least 2 features
Researcher 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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The rules of OKRs are simple. Quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly, and yearly OKRs should be tracked monthly. 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 Researcher OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to reduce partial deliveries to clients
OKRs to develop a sustainable design concept for the company's operations
OKRs to increase revenue and lead generation
OKRs to enhance the efficiency of indirect purchasing
OKRs to optimize the company's financial ratio
OKRs to accelerate the growth of Gross New ARR