Key Result
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What is Key Result (KR)?
A Key Result is the "KR" in OKR — a specific, measurable outcome that indicates whether an Objective is being achieved. Key Results answer the question "How do I know if we're getting there?" and transform qualitative aspirations into quantifiable progress.
Good Key Results follow a simple test: at the end of the period, can you objectively say whether you achieved them? They include a metric type (a number, percentage, or milestone), a starting value, and a target value. For example, under the Objective "Expand into enterprise market," Key Results might be "Close 20 enterprise deals worth $2M+" or "Land 3 Fortune 500 companies."
Best practices for Key Results include: keeping 2-5 per Objective to maintain focus, ensuring they measure outcomes (not activities), making them challenging but achievable, and avoiding Key Results that are entirely outside your control. Each Key Result should independently contribute to the Objective, and together they should comprehensively define what success looks like.
Also known as: KR, key result, measurable outcome
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