The Answer Is to Focus on What Matters

Many consider Andy Grove, the former CEO of Intel, the father of OKRs. In his book, High Output Management, he first spoke about “Objectives and Key Results” regarding running a successful management by objectives (MBO) system. He stated:

The one thing an MBO system should provide par excellence is focus. This can only happen if we keep the number of objectives small. In practice, this is rare, and here, as elsewhere, we fall victim to our inability to say “no”—in this case, to too many objectives. We must realize—and act on the realization—that if we try to focus on everything, we focus on nothing. A few extremely well-chosen objectives impart a clear message about what we say “yes” to and what we say “no” to—which is what we must have if an MBO system is to work.

It should not surprise us that we must focus on less to achieve more. If a team has 2-3 goals, they might achieve 2-3 goals. However, that same team with 4-10 goals might only achieve 1-2 goals. By focusing on 10 goals, it is unlikely they will have any achievement.

By focusing on a fewer number of goals, it will force the organization to identify the most critical objectives and gauge progress through quantitative key results. We should not expect that the OKC process is the master list of tasks for the organization. An organization should select objectives that will make the greatest long-term impact given the current environment. This is not the same as asking, “What is most important?” Instead, we should ask, “Where should we focus to get closer to our vision the fastest?”

John Doerr, a well-known and successful venture capitalist, brought OKRs from Intel to Google. In setting goals, he used the formula:

I will _____________ as measured by _____________.

This formula describes both what you will achieve and how you will measure the achievement. We will call what you will achieve (the first blank) the “Objective”. The Objective answers the question, “Where do I want to go?” We will call how you will measure (the second blank) the “Key Results”. The Key Results answer the question, “How do I know if I’m getting there?” Without the key results, you do not have a goal.

You have a desire.

Are you looking for more focus for your organization? Reach out for help.