Are there different types of Key Results?

Are there different types of Key Results?

Yes. While all Key Results must be measurable, using different types can help you track progress more effectively and create a more complete picture of success. Thinking about these categories helps ensure you're measuring what truly matters.

Here are the most common and useful types of Key Results:

1. Baseline vs. Target KRs

This is the most common and effective format. It measures movement from a starting point (A) to a desired endpoint (B).

• What it does: Clearly defines progress and impact.
• Example: "Increase customer retention rate from 85% to 92%."

2. Milestone KRs

While it's always better to measure outcomes, sometimes a critical project must be completed to enable future results. These are often framed as binary (0% or 100% complete).

• What it does: Tracks the completion of a critical, non-negotiable task or project.
• Example: "Launch the new V2 data infrastructure to all customers."
• Best Practice: Use these sparingly. Always ask if you can measure the outcome of the launch instead (e.g., "Reduce average data query time from 3 seconds to 500ms").

3. Balancing KRs

Ambitious goals can sometimes have unintended negative consequences. Balancing KRs act as a guardrail to ensure you don't sacrifice one area of the business to improve another.

• What it does: Protects against "growth at all costs" by pairing an ambitious KR with a quality or health metric.
• Example: If you have a KR to "Increase new user sign-ups by 50%," you might add a balancing KR like "Maintain new user activation rate at or above 30%."

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

Using a strategic mix of these Key Result types allows you to build a comprehensive and realistic plan for achieving your Objective. It moves your OKRs from a simple to-do list to a sophisticated tool for driving and measuring real-world results.

Mastering this skill is a key differentiator for high-performing teams.

Our OKR Setting Workshops are the fastest way to get your team writing goals that deliver a powerful impact. Learn About Workshops