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tability.ioWhat are Running 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.
Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Running 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.
Running OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Running Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to consistently rank in the top half of running events
ObjectiveConsistently rank in the top half of running events
KRParticipate in 3 local running events to gain race experience
Start a regular training schedule- Register for the chosen 3 running events
- Research local running events in your area
- KRIncrease weekly mileage by 10% to improve overall endurance
- Calculate current weekly mileage for accurate increment
- Consistently monitor progress and endurance level
- Gradually increase mileage by 10% each week
- KRFinish five 10k runs in under 50 minutes for enhanced speed
- Schedule weekly training to progressively increase running speed
- Incorporate high-intensity interval training in workouts
- Monitor time on each run and adjust pace
OKRs to become better at running
- ObjectiveImprove Long Distance Running Performance
- KRIncrease endurance by running 4 times per week
- KRIncrease speed by completing interval training sessions twice per week
- KRImprove 5K race time by 20%
OKRs to keep a long-running project on track
- ObjectiveThe ACH Payment project is on track for next quarter
- KRWe have achieve our 4 main development milestones
- Milestone 1: UX Design completed
- Milestone 4: We have enrolled 10 beta customers on ACH
- Milestone 2: Backend API is functional and tested
- Milestone 3: ACH payment is wired to the UI (internal)
- KRWe have completed 25 transactions on the internal beta
- KRWe have completed 20 UX testing sessions
OKRs to improve team effectiveness in running operations
- ObjectiveImprove team effectiveness in running operations
- KREnhance team efficiency by reducing average response time to customer inquiries by 25%
- Streamline internal processes and workflows to minimize response time and avoid unnecessary delays
- Implement automated email templates for quick and standardized responses to customer inquiries
- Provide regular training sessions on effective communication and problem-solving techniques
- Implement a ticketing system to track and prioritize customer inquiries for faster resolution
- KRIncrease team productivity by 15% through improved task management and delegation
- Define clear goals and deadlines for each team member to improve task prioritization
- Conduct regular feedback sessions to address challenges and provide support in task management
- Provide training on effective delegation strategies to enhance productivity within the team
- Implement a centralized task management system for better tracking and collaboration
- KRImprove team collaboration by achieving a 30% increase in cross-functional communication and information sharing
- Provide training sessions on effective communication and active listening skills for team members
- Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration through a central online platform or shared documents
- Facilitate cross-functional team building activities to strengthen relationships and promote communication
- Implement regular team meetings to discuss projects, share updates, and address challenges
- KRReduce operational errors by 20% through enhanced documentation and quality control
OKRs to be on track for a long-running project
- ObjectiveBe on track to deliver <project> next quarter
- KR100% of the core features have been delivered
- Ship <feature 2>
- Ship <feature 1>
- Identify all core features
- KRRun 20 UX tests session on <project>
- Analyze feedback and identify opportunities
- Create the UX test script
- KR50 people are actively using the beta every week
How to write your own Running 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.
Running 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.
How to track your Running OKRs
Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs 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, once you get comfortable you can graduate to a proper OKRs-tracking tool.
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 Running OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to boost lead conversions through improved touchpoint content
- OKRs to enhance overall mental health wellness
- OKRs to cultivate a harmonious, integrated team environment
- OKRs to enhance internal stakeholder feedback on team operations and services
- OKRs to improve software quality and testing efficiency
- OKRs to enhance the mental health aspects of the Head Start program