Create an OKR Strategy That Aligns with Your Company Goals

Creating an OKR strategy is different from setting OKRs. Instead of focusing on individual objectives and key results, an OKR strategy helps you define a bigger plan that connects your company’s mission to the work your teams do.

Start with Your Mission

Before you create your OKR strategy, revisit your company’s mission statement. It should answer these questions:

• What does your company do?
• Who are your customers?
• What products or services do you offer?
• What values guide your work?

Your mission gives your company a clear purpose. Your OKR strategy should help you move toward that purpose.

How to Write an OKR Strategy

An OKR strategy is a high-level plan that guides the OKRs your teams set. Keep it simple.

Use this format: [Action Verb] + [Action Plan]

Examples:

• “Grow and diversify revenue base” 
• “Encourage collaboration across functional departments.  Stop silo operations” 
• “Achieve operational efficiency in procuring raw material and parts for manufacturing operation.”

Your strategy should be broad enough to guide teams but specific enough to provide direction.

7 Types of OKR Strategies 

An OKR strategy will be measured by the benefits and OKRs aligned to it.   

1. Customer strategy – improve customer relationships, increase customer lifetime revenue 
2. Finance strategy – improve revenue, reduce cost, improve growth margin etc.  
3. Operational efficiency strategy – reduce red-tape, improve time to market etc.  
4. Employee collaboration strategy – encourage business/ IT teams to align, cross-functional collaboration etc. 
5. Compliance strategy – corp. governance, government regulation compliance, industry compliance etc 
6. Grown & Market strategy  – grow new markets, handle disruptive technology coming into your space 
7. Talent management – hiring and attracting the right talent pool 

Steps to Create an OKR Strategy

1. Review Your Mission Statement: Ensure it reflects your company’s purpose and long-term goals.
2. Define Your Strategic Focus: Choose one or more key areas (customer, finance, operations, etc.).
3. Write Your OKR Strategy Statement: Use the [Verb + Action Plan] format.
4. Identify Expected Benefits: List the benefits that should come from your strategy.
5. Empower Teams to Set OKRs: Let teams define their own objectives and key results that align with the strategy.

Example Workflow: Mission → Strategy → Benefits → OKRs → Projects & Tasks

Best Practices

• A complicated strategy will confuse teams. Use clear and direct language.
• Get buy-in from top executives to ensure alignment.
• Teams should have the freedom to set OKRs that fit their roles.
• Check progress every quarter and adjust if needed.

FAQs

1. How often should we update our OKR strategy?

You should review your strategy every year. If there are major changes in your business, adjust it sooner.

2. What if a team’s OKRs don’t match the overall strategy?

Discuss their OKRs and see if they can align. If not, their work might not be contributing to the company’s goals.

3. How detailed should our OKR strategy be?

It depends on your audience. A short statement works for most teams, but leadership may need a more detailed plan.

4. Can different teams have different OKR strategies?

No, but they should set their own OKRs that support the company-wide strategy.

5. How do we measure if our strategy is working?

Look at whether teams are meeting their OKRs and whether your company is seeing the expected benefits.

Try Target Align’s OKR Software

Target Align is a leading OKR software designed for startups and growing businesses. Our platform makes it easy to set, track, and align OKRs across teams, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals. With a simple interface and powerful features, we help companies improve focus, transparency, and accountability.

Take control of your company’s strategy with Target Align’s OKR software.

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