OKR reviews are not just periodic check-ins; they’re the foundation of a team’s success. If you want your team to thrive, improve, and succeed, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a must-have.

They establish the path, monitor progress, and ensure everyone is on the same page. Reviewing OKRs is a great opportunity to consider what's going well, what's not, and what changes are needed.

According to research, 80% of employees prefer receiving immediate feedback rather than waiting for an annual performance review. 

Hence, regular and well-executed OKR reviews can turn good teams into great ones by creating transparency, fostering accountability, and boosting performance.

The difference between OKR progress review and OKR final review

There’s a significant difference between an OKR progress review and a final review, and knowing this can drastically affect your team’s outcomes.

  • Progress reviews: These are your checkpoints. They happen throughout the OKR cycle, typically quarterly or monthly. The goal is to assess whether you’re on track to hit your objectives. These reviews are fluid, focused on course correction, and measure incremental progress.
  • Final review: At the end of the OKR cycle, the final review takes a step back to evaluate whether the set objectives were truly achieved. This is when the “big picture” is examined, and you assess the long-term impact. It's more reflective and about final outcomes.

While progress reviews guide teams toward success, the final review is where you draw conclusions and define the next steps. 

Get both right, and your OKR journey will be on point!

Types of OKR reviews

OKR reviews come in different shapes and sizes. Some teams prefer informal check-ins, while others hold structured meetings.

  1. Informal check-ins: Regular, often one-on-one sessions focused on tracking progress.
  2. Quarterly reviews: Scheduled reviews to assess key results and adjust strategies.
  3. Annual reviews: A comprehensive review at the end of the year to evaluate overall success and set new goals.

These types ensure that OKR tracking isn’t just a one-time thing. It’s a continuous process of feedback, growth, and improvement.

Setting up a structured OKR review process

60% of projects fail due to unclear goal setting and poor alignment across departments. 

This shows how important it is to have a well-organized agenda for your OKR meeting to make sure everyone is on track and the discussion stays on topic. For nonprofits looking to maximize their impact, OKR reviews are important, especially when considering strategies like raising money for a charity.

If there isn't a clear plan, even the most thought-out OKR review templates may not work as well.

So, let’s see how to craft an agenda that not only supports your review but enhances it – making sure each review session is not just a routine check-in but an opportunity for reflection, improvement, and growth.

1. Establishing clear objectives for the review

Before moving into the review process, it’s crucial to define its purpose. Is it to assess progress? To identify bottlenecks? Or to celebrate milestones? A review with unclear objectives is like setting off on a road trip without a map.

The review should focus on actionable insights, helping the team stay aligned and drive performance forward. Clear objectives set the tone, ensuring the meeting stays focused and productive.

2. Preparing an OKR review template

Templates are more than just a time saver – they create consistency and clarity. With an OKR review template, you can:

  • Keep discussions aligned and focused on key areas.
  • Ensure each review covers the same core elements, no matter who’s reviewing.
  • Save time and keep the team on track with actionable takeaways.

When you use a template, you’re ensuring that all necessary areas are covered, and your reviews become more streamlined and effective.

3. Aligning the review with OKR best practices

A great OKR review isn’t just about ticking off boxes – it’s about incorporating OKR best practices that guarantee meaningful discussions. 

Some key practices include:

  • Setting measurable key results
  • Focusing on outcomes, not just outputs
  • Involving all team members in the review process for diverse insights
  • Ensuring transparency by sharing progress with everyone

When you align your OKR reviews with these best practices, you create a culture of continuous improvement where everyone feels involved and motivated to perform.

Creating an effective OKR review meeting agenda

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for a solid OKR meeting agenda, it’s time to shift our focus to the actual execution – how to effectively conduct the review meeting and ensure that every discussion leads to actionable insights and measurable outcomes.

1. Key components of a review meeting agenda

A well-planned agenda is like a GPS for your OKR review meeting – it keeps everything on track. Here’s a structure to help guide your next session:

  1. Review OKRs: Start by revisiting the objectives and key results. Are they still relevant? Do they need tweaking?
  2. Progress check: Discuss where you stand in terms of completion. Celebrate small wins.
  3. Roadblocks and solutions: What’s holding the team back? Brainstorm solutions.
  4. Feedback and next steps: Provide constructive feedback and establish the next steps for the upcoming period.

Each section should be given a dedicated time slot to ensure a balanced discussion.

2. Establishing timeframes and expectations for the meeting

Time is precious, especially in a fast-paced work environment. Setting time limits for each agenda item ensures the review stays focused and efficient. If the meeting runs too long, it risks losing momentum.

For instance:

  • OKR review: 15 minutes
  • Progress check: 20 minutes
  • Discussion of roadblocks: 20 minutes
  • Next steps: 15 minutes

By setting expectations upfront, you’ll avoid the dreaded “meeting creep” and ensure everything gets covered without dragging.

Conducting the OKR review meeting

Let’s now explore how to capture the momentum from your review and set the stage for ongoing success.

1. Reviewing progress and key learnings

This is the meat of the meeting. Dive into the progress made so far, celebrating small wins and learning from missteps. It’s important to focus on both achievements and challenges.

Key learnings should be highlighted so teams can apply them in the future. 

The review shouldn’t just be about what didn’t work – it’s about what can be improved. 

Highlighting both the good and the bad creates a culture of transparency and growth.

2. Addressing roadblocks and challenges

Nothing slows down a team like roadblocks, so identifying them early is critical. The OKR review is the perfect opportunity to discuss these obstacles.

Whether it’s a lack of resources, unclear communication, or shifting priorities, tackling roadblocks head-on will empower your team to find solutions faster. Develop a collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels encouraged to suggest possible fixes.

3. Highlighting key successes and recognizing contributions

OKRs aren’t just about metrics – they’re about the people behind those metrics. Recognizing key successes and celebrating team contributions is vital to maintaining motivation. 

Acknowledging both individual and collective achievements fosters a culture of appreciation and encourages future performance.

Post-review actions and follow-up

Below are some ways you can keep the momentum alive and track progress moving forward to ensure that the hard work continues to pay off.

Documenting the review and outcomes

Once the review wraps up, ensure everything is documented clearly. Write a summary of key takeaways and create a detailed action plan. 

This will serve as a roadmap for the next phase, providing direction and clarity on the next steps.

Scheduling regular OKR check-ins for ongoing progress

One review isn’t enough. To truly benefit from OKRs, establish regular check-ins – whether monthly or quarterly – to track progress. These meetings will help adjust tactics, shift focus if needed, and keep everyone aligned. 

Regular check-ins ensure that OKRs remain a driving force, not just a checkbox.

Conclusion

OKR reviews are a powerful tool when done right. They provide clarity, encourage accountability, and promote growth.

Remember, it’s not just about tracking results but creating an environment where teams can thrive. With the right structure, clear objectives, and a focus on learning and growth, OKR reviews can unlock the full potential of your team and organization.

Get your OKR meeting agenda in place, use that OKR review template, and make every OKR review meeting count.