OKRs and KPIs: Are They Fundamentally Different in All Unimportant Respects?

Abstract

            This research article carried out documentary research in order to analyze and synthesize data from various academic resources concerning two evaluation techniques, including Objective and Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to answer the question of whether the techniques were fundamentally different in all Unimportant respects. The findings indicated that OKRs and KPIs had many similar aspects in terms of providing importance to targets and results in answering mission/objectives whether at the organizational, work group or individual level. However, OKRs were revealed to be different from KPIs with regard to form, measurement frequency, participation in setting goals, etc. In conclusion, the research determined that OKRs are distinctive in some important respects in the sense that they are used in the implementation phase and act as lead measurements to drive the performance of the KPIs, which are considered lag measures. Therefore, OKRs act as tools to drive the performance of an organization to a higher level. Integrating both techniques to drive organizational performance would help an organization to achieve targets even more effectively.