How to Run an Effective OKR Goal Setting One-on-One Meeting
As a manager, one of your quarterly responsibilities is to sit down with each direct report and review their Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Here's a quick overview of how to run an effective OKR goal setting one-on-one meeting:
Reviewing your team's OKRs on a quarterly basis is important for a number of reasons:
- It allows you to course correct if necessary. If your team is behind on their goals, you can work with them to come up with a plan to get back on track.
- It gives you an opportunity to celebrate successes. If your team hit their goals or made significant progress, this is a chance to give them recognition.
- It allows you to re-prioritize goals. If something has changed in the business landscape, this is a chance to adjust your team's goals accordingly.
Who? When? How long?
This meeting should last about 60 minutes, should occur on a quarterly basis, and should include you, your direct report, and any other stakeholders invited to the meeting.
Walkthrough Talking points
1. OKR review for last quarter: Where did we succeed? Where did we fall short? What did we learn?
This agenda item allows you and your team to reflect on the previous quarter. You can discuss what went well, what didn't go well, and what you can learn from the experience. This is also a chance to course correct if necessary. If your team did well, allow them time to celebrate their accomplishments. If they did not meet their Key Results, discuss why. If the Objectives were not met, you may want to align the team's OKRs with the company's objectives.
2. What are 3-5 things you want to accomplish in the next quarter?
After reflecting on the previous quarter, it's time to start setting goals for the upcoming quarter. This is where you and your team will brainstorm a list of 3-5 things you want to accomplish. Prioritize the list based on the company's objectives.
3. What key things need to happen in order to achieve those 3-5 goals?
Once you have a list of goals, it's time to start thinking about what needs to happen in order to achieve those goals. This is where you'll start to develop a plan of action. Discuss what needs to be done first and discuss deadlines for each Key Result.
4. What resources, tools and budget do you need to achieve your goals?
In order to achieve your goals, you'll need to make sure you have the resources, tools, and budget in place. This is where you'll start to identify any potential roadblocks. If resources are not available, ask your direct reports to come up with a plan to achieve their goals with what they have. If they need more, ask them to discuss the problem with their peers, their manager, and any other stakeholders.
5. What could happen in the upcoming quarter that would prevent you from hitting your goals?
As you're planning for the upcoming quarter, it's important to think about what could go wrong. This is where you'll start to identify risks and develop contingency plans. Remind your direct reports to plan for the worst. For example, if a Key Result is dependent on another team's work, remind your direct reports to plan for delays and unfinished work from the other team.
