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tability.ioWhat are Software Quality 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.
Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for Software Quality to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Software Quality OKRs examples
We've added many examples of Software Quality Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to enhance software and component quality
ObjectiveEnhance software and component quality
KRExecute 100% of planned quality assurance tests to identify and fix bugs
Analyze test results and correct identified bugs- Conduct all preassigned tests thoroughly
- Review the lineup of planned quality assurance tests
- KRIncrease user satisfaction by improving software usability by 20%
- Implement improvements based on user feedback
- Identify user pain points through feedback surveys
- Continuously test software for user experience enhancements
- KRDecrease software component's failure rate by 15%
- Conduct regular maintenance and updates to improve stability
- Employ advanced debugging tools to spot and fix errors
- Implement rigorous software component testing at varying stress levels
OKRs to enhance the quality of software releases through manual testing
- ObjectiveEnhance the quality of software releases through manual testing
- KRIncrease manual test case effectiveness by 25%
- Provide continuous training for manual testing techniques
- Implement peer reviews for manual test case validation
- Develop exhaustive, realistic use-cases scenarios for better test coverage
- KRReduce critical bugs in live software by 15%
- Implement rigorous testing procedures before software deployment
- Regularly update and debug software code base
- Train developers in best practices for bug prevention
- KRRaise manual test coverage for each release to at least 95%
- Identify areas of software currently lacking full manual testing
- Develop comprehensive manual test plans for those areas
- Train team to execute new test plans efficiently
OKRs to enhance quality control testing effectiveness
- ObjectiveEnhance quality control testing effectiveness
- KRDecrease defects found post-release by 20%
- Incorporate more rigorous beta testing phases
- Improve training for software developers
- Implement thorough quality assurance procedures
- KRInitiate 100% of staff into new quality-control training program
- Create an informative and engaging training schedule
- Identify and list all staff requiring the new training
- Begin rollout of quality-control training to all staff
- KRIncrease test coverage rate to 90%
- Identify areas of the code lacking sufficient testing
- Implement and regularly update tests to maintain coverage
- Develop comprehensive, relevant tests for those areas
OKRs to enhance Quality Assurance automation capacity
- ObjectiveEnhance Quality Assurance automation capacity
- KRImplement automation for at least 70% of previously manually tested scenarios
- Identify primary scenarios for automated testing
- Evaluate automation coverage and effectiveness
- Develop and implement automation scripts
- KRAchieve 80% pass rate for all new automated test scripts
- Implement rigorous script debugging and revision process
- Develop comprehensive and effective automated test scripts
- Train team members on standard script writing
- KRIncrease automation coverage by 30% across all project modules
- Develop and implement automation scripts for these areas
- Monitor and assess the increase in automation coverage
- Identify areas with low automation within project modules
OKRs to elevate overall test coverage across all features
- ObjectiveElevate overall test coverage across all features
- KRImplement a process for monitoring and increasing test coverage on an ongoing basis
- Implement a continuous test coverage monitoring system
- Develop strategies to continuously improve test coverage
- Identify existing areas lacking sufficient test coverage
- KRIdentify and address 30% of areas with low test coverage across existing features
- Prioritize these features based on importance
- Identify features with less than 70% test coverage
- Develop and implement tests to increase coverage
- KRAchieve 70% code coverage for all new features developed in the next quarter
- Conduct reviews and refactoring sessions to improve coverage
- Implement mandatory unit tests for all newly developed features
- Monitor code coverage regularly using suitable tools
OKRs to implement efficient test automation processes
- ObjectiveImplement efficient test automation processes
- KRReduce manual testing work by 40% through customized automated scripts
- Implement and monitor the automated scripts’ efficacy regularly
- Develop customized automated scripts for these processes
- Identify repeated manual testing processes suitable for automation
- KRSuccessfully automate 70% of all repetitive tests while maintaining accuracy
- Research suitable automation tools or software
- Implement, monitor, and adjust automated processes accordingly
- Identify and catalog all existing repetitive tests
- KRAchieve a 30% decrease in software bugs and glitches through automated testing enhancement
- Regularly evaluate and refine our testing processes
- Train developers in advanced automated testing
- Implement enhanced and rigorous automated testing protocols
OKRs to enhance the quality of the company's testing process
- ObjectiveEnhance the quality of the company's testing process
- KRReduce the number of bugs found post-release by 30%
- Implement continuous training for the development team
- Develop rigorous pre-launch software testing protocols
- Enhance code review processes and quality checks
- KRAchieve 95% accuracy rate in every conducted testing
- Review and refine testing procedures and tools
- Implement comprehensive training on test protocol
- Conduct regular monitoring and performance evaluation
- KRImplement two new automated testing tools to streamline process
- Research and select two suitable automated testing tools
- Train the team on usage and integration of tools
- Purchase and install chosen automated testing tools
OKRs to minimize technical debt across all 100 crawlers
- ObjectiveMinimize technical debt across all 100 crawlers
- KRReduce the number of crippling bugs by 60% across all active crawlers
- Allocate more resources for extensive crawler bug testing
- Roll out regular updates to eliminate known issues
- Implement rigorous code review before deployment
- KRDevelop and implement robust refactoring plans for 75% of identified issues
- Implement refactoring plans across 75% of identified areas
- Identify key areas requiring refactoring within the system
- Create comprehensive, efficient refactoring plans for these areas
- KRIdentify and document technical debt in 100% of the crawlers
- Review all crawler codes to identify technical debt
- Log debt detail in a central tracking system
- Prepare a comprehensive technical debt report
OKRs to achieve consistent delivery of a high-quality application
- ObjectiveAchieve consistent delivery of a high-quality application
- KRIncrease weekly cadence of successful application releases by 20%
- Integrate automated testing for faster bug detection
- Implement more efficient software development methodologies
- Enhance collaboration among development teams
- KRDecrease application issues reported post-release by 30%
- Implement a comprehensive quality assurance and testing process
- Prioritize regular updates and patches post-release
- Enhance pre-release user acceptance testing
- KREnhance user satisfaction ratings on the application by improving it by 25%
- Develop and launch new desired features
- Prioritize and address reported bugs and glitches
- Implement frequent customer surveys to gather user feedback
OKRs to improve testing efficiency through AI integration
- ObjectiveImprove testing efficiency through AI integration
- KRReduce software bugs by 25% with AI algorithms
- Train AI algorithms to identify and fix recurring software bugs
- Invest in AI-based debugging tools for code review and error detection
- Integrate AI algorithms into the software development and testing process
- KRDecrease manual testing hours by 30%
- Implement automated testing protocols for recurrent tests
- Train staff in automation tools usage
- Prioritize test cases for automation
- KRImplement AI testing tools in 60% of ongoing projects
- Procure and install AI testing tools in identified projects
- Train project teams on using AI testing tools
- Identify projects suitable for AI testing tool integration
How to write your own Software Quality 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.
Software Quality 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 Software Quality OKRs
OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full 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
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 Software Quality OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to meet or exceed financial and operational milestones for investor confidence
- OKRs to boost the sales of spare parts
- OKRs to elevate the quality of customer service
- OKRs to increase revenue by optimizing sales strategies and processes
- OKRs to improve internal stakeholder usability of new ERP system
- OKRs to boost our digital subscription numbers