My last blog described how one of the most powerful applications of OKRs is that they can easily be cascaded down throughout the organization. Another big plus about OKRs, is that they can be aligned across the organization in horizontal fashion as well. The ability to align up and down, and side-to-side is what makes OKRs so unique and powerful.
Let me share a straightforward example; let’s say a team has just developed its OKRs for the quarter. To accomplish some of its key results, it will need to rely on other teams to assist them. And other teams will depend on them (sidenote: this inter-dependency situation will almost always exist; if not, mistakes are possibly being made in the development of OKRs). The process of working with other teams to tackle interdependencies is called horizontal alignment. The short video below provides an illustrated look at the example discussed above.
OKRs can be very powerful for promoting teamwork and goal congruence, which lead to maximizing corporate performance. Ensuring alignment with the value proposition is critical; setting out well-planned corporate OKRs and cascading them downward is vital to keep everyone in the organization working toward the same objectives. This short video walks you through an example of horizontally connecting OKRs to gain superior alignment:
Remember that it is vertical alignment combined with horizontal alignment (i.e. connections up, down, and across, business units and teams) that makes OKRs so powerful. Stay tuned for more on OKRs.
Call now or contact us online if you would like to better understand how OKRs can revolutionize your organization. Whether you are in Toronto or elsewhere, we can assist in your efforts to better formulate and execute your business strategy. And stay tuned for more blogs and videos on the mechanics of OKRs.
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