Are your OKRs on track?
If you’re working in a startup, you know how easy it is to get caught up in the hustle of day-to-day tasks. But how do you ensure that all the hard work is actually leading to the outcomes that matter most?
The answer is simple: OKR check-ins.
OKR check-ins are essential for keeping your team aligned, accountable, and focused on the big picture. Without them, it’s easy for goals to slip through the cracks or for your team to lose sight of what’s truly important.
In this article, we’ll dive into why OKR check-ins are so important and how they can help you keep your startup on track toward achieving its goals.
What Are OKR Check-Ins?
OKR check-ins are regular meetings or updates where you and your team review your progress toward the key results you’ve set.
Typically held on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, these check-ins are designed to evaluate whether your objectives are on track, identify any roadblocks, and make any necessary adjustments to your strategy.
During these check-ins, your team will:
- Review progress toward key results.
- Identify challenges or areas where performance is falling short.
- Make adjustments to tactics or key results if needed.
- Ensure alignment across all teams and initiatives.
For OKRs Tool customers, use our AI-powered initiatives feature to adjust tactics in real-time.
These meetings don’t have to be long - just quick, focused updates to keep everyone on track.
Why Are OKR Check-Ins Important?
You might be asking,
“Why do we need check-ins if we already set OKRs at the start of the cycle?”
Things change fast in a startup, and the OKRs you set at the beginning of the quarter might need adjustments along the way. Here’s why check-ins are important for keeping your startup moving forward:
1. Maintain Alignment
With a fast-growing team, staying aligned can be challenging.
OKR check-ins help ensure that everyone remains on the same page, even if they’re working in different departments or locations.
You’ll be able to check in regularly and make sure that your team’s goals are still aligned with the company’s overarching objectives. Without check-ins, it’s easy for teams to drift off course, working on tasks that might not contribute to the bigger picture.
2. Boost Accountability
When your team knows they’ll be checking in on their progress regularly, they’re more likely to stay focused and stay on top of their goals.
Accountability is a key benefit of OKR check-ins.
It’s easier to stay committed to your objectives when you know you’ll have to report on them each week. Not only does this motivate individuals to take ownership of their tasks, but it also creates a sense of urgency and purpose.
Recommended reading: How to Write Effective OKRs
3. Foster Transparent Communication
Clear communication is critical for any startup.
Check-ins give your team a chance to share what’s working, what’s not, and what adjustments need to be made. This transparency helps identify roadblocks early on so that they can be addressed before they become bigger problems.
It also ensures that everyone is aware of each other’s progress, which keeps the team aligned.
4. Stay Agile and Adaptable
As you know, things don’t always go according to plan.
Your team might encounter challenges, or new opportunities may arise. OKR check-ins give you the flexibility to adjust goals and strategies quickly.
If something isn’t working, you can change course immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the OKR cycle to discover that you’re off track.
5. Promote Continuous Improvement
One of the best things about OKR check-ins is that they create a feedback loop.
By regularly reviewing progress, your team can learn from both successes and failures. This feedback helps you refine your approach, optimize processes, and continuously improve your performance.
It’s a cycle of learning and adapting that can drive better results each time.
6. Reinforce Focus and Motivation
Startups are often juggling multiple projects and priorities.
OKR check-ins help maintain focus by regularly reminding your team what the main objectives are. When you check in on your goals week after week, you’re constantly reinforcing what matters most.
Plus, seeing progress - no matter how small - keeps the team motivated and moving forward.
7. Prevent Goal Creep
In fast-paced startup environments, it’s easy for objectives to shift and expand, often leading to goal creep - where new goals or tasks are added without reevaluating the original objectives.
OKR check-ins help you maintain focus and prevent this from happening. By regularly revisiting your OKRs, you ensure that your team is not chasing unnecessary tasks or diluting efforts that should be focused on core goals.
Opinion piece: Why Do So Many Startups Fail with OKRs?
How to Run Effective OKR Check-Ins
To make the most of your OKR check-ins, follow these best practices:
- Keep it short: OKR check-ins should be quick and to the point. Aim for 15–30 minutes. This ensures that the meeting remains productive, and team members stay focused on the most important updates.
- Review key results: Focus on the progress toward your key results, not just the tasks completed. This keeps the team focused on outcomes rather than activities, ensuring that you're making measurable progress toward your objectives.
- Discuss blockers: Identify any obstacles or challenges and brainstorm solutions as a team. Openly discussing blockers allows everyone to pitch in with ideas and helps resolve issues faster, preventing them from stalling progress.
- Adjust goals if necessary: If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to make changes. Flexibility in your approach allows you to course-correct as needed, keeping your objectives realistic and aligned with current business priorities.
- Celebrate small wins: Take time to acknowledge progress and keep the team motivated. Recognizing achievements, even small ones, helps boost morale and reinforces the value of each team member's contributions.
Learn more: What is OKR Software and Does Your Startup Need It?
Conclusion
OKR check-ins play an important role in your goal-setting process that helps keep your startup on track, aligned, and focused.
By making these check-ins a regular part of your workflow, you can create a culture of accountability, agility, and continuous improvement, which are key for startup success.
If you’re not already holding OKR check-ins with your team, now is the time to start. These simple, yet powerful meetings can help you stay aligned, focused, and ready to tackle your startup’s most ambitious goals.
Ready to streamline your OKR process and stay on track? Sign up to OKRs Tool today to make check-ins easy, keep your team aligned, and drive faster progress toward your goals.
