How to Identify Topics for OKRs
Setting effective OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) starts with identifying the right topics. Many teams struggle less with the framework itself and more with choosing where to focus. Use the three guiding perspectives below to connect strategy, planned initiatives, and operational reality.
What can I do with my team and resources in the next three months to make the biggest progress towards executing our company strategy and goals?
This perspective ensures your OKRs are aligned with the organisation’s strategic direction. Instead of starting with day-to-day activities, zoom out and translate strategy into concrete team contributions.
- Review the company’s strategic priorities for the quarter and identify where your team can create the most leverage.
- Match strategic needs with your team’s strengths, assets, and available capacity.
- Frame the objective as the most meaningful contribution your team can make to the bigger picture.
Example: If market expansion is a priority, an objective could be “Validate demand in Market X,” with key results on interviews completed, problem–solution fit signals, and pilot sign-ups.
What kind of projects are already planned in the next three months in my area of responsibility?
OKRs should not mirror your entire project list, but they should highlight the most critical initiatives and define success.
- Scan your roadmap and select the one to three initiatives that matter most for strategic outcomes.
- Use OKRs to sharpen each initiative’s intent with measurable results (adoption, quality, revenue, cost, time-to-value).
- Drop or defer low-impact projects that compete for the same resources.
Example: With a product launch scheduled, an objective might be “Achieve a successful launch of Feature Y,” with key results on active usage, NPS for new users, and sales pipeline influenced.
Are there any challenges or opportunities from daily business in my area of responsibility that need to be addressed?
Impactful OKRs often arise from frontline insights—recurring issues, bottlenecks, or emerging opportunities.
- Identify process bottlenecks that slow delivery or increase cost/error rates.
- Surface patterns from customer feedback that affect satisfaction or retention.
- Capture quick-win opportunities spotted by the team and test them with clear success criteria.
Example: If response times are hurting customer satisfaction, an objective could be “Improve support responsiveness,” with key results on median first-response time, backlog reduction, and CSAT.
Bringing it all together
Combine the three perspectives—strategic alignment, planned projects, and operational realities—to build a focused, achievable OKR set. Balance top-down direction with bottom-up insights so your team advances company goals while solving the issues that matter most today.
How OKR Consultants Can Help
Identifying the right topics for OKRs is often easier said than done. Many organisations struggle to translate strategy into team-level focus, prioritise projects effectively, or address operational challenges without losing sight of the bigger picture. This is where an experienced OKR consultants can make a real difference. A consultant provides structure, facilitates alignment across teams, and ensures that objectives are both ambitious and achievable. They help managers ask the right questions, define measurable key results, and create an OKR process that is embedded in daily work rather than treated as a side project. By working with an OKR consultant, companies accelerate adoption, avoid common pitfalls, and unlock the full potential of OKRs as a strategy execution framework.
Get in touch to learn how OKRs can help your organisation focus, align, and achieve better results.