Books in Bytes
All 16 learnings · one per slide
Measure
What
Matters
John Doerr, in bytes
16 key learnings on OKRs, the goal-setting system used by Intel and Google.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
Library / Business & Startups / Measure What Matters
Measure What Matters, in bytes
16 key learnings from John Doerr's guide to Objectives and Key Results, from Intel's Andy Grove to Google and beyond. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
Measure
Books in Bytes
Learning 1
Objectives and Key Results
The idea
An objective is what you want to achieve; key results are measurable signs you're getting there.
Try this
Write one objective with three measurable key results.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 2
From Andy Grove
The idea
Doerr learned OKRs at Intel from Andy Grove, then introduced them to Google in 1999.
Takeaway
Simple systems can scale.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 3 · Part 1
Google's Early OKRs
The story
Doerr presented OKRs to Google's founders in 1999; they adopted the system, which spread across the company.
Takeaway
Startups benefit from structure early.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 4
Focus
The idea
Choose a few objectives that matter most.
Takeaway
Fewer goals, more focus.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 5 · Superpower 1
Committed vs Aspirational
The idea
Committed OKRs must be met; aspirational OKRs are stretch goals where partial progress is fine.
Takeaway
Label which is which.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 6
Align and Connect
The idea
Make OKRs public so teams can see how their work connects.
Takeaway
Transparency aligns effort.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 7 · Superpower 2
Bottom-Up Goals
The idea
Encourage teams to set some of their own OKRs, not just receive them.
Takeaway
Ownership drives engagement.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 8
Track
The idea
Review progress regularly and adjust.
Try this
Score key results weekly.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 9 · Superpower 3
Midcourse Corrections
The idea
OKRs can be adjusted or dropped when circumstances change.
Takeaway
Goals serve you, not the other way round.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 10
Stretch
The idea
Aim high with stretch goals; reaching about 70% can still be success.
Takeaway
Ambition drives progress.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 11 · Superpower 4
Moonshots
The idea
Google's ambitious projects show how stretch goals can produce breakthroughs.
Example
Chrome's growth goals pushed the team further than expected.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 12
CFRs
The idea
Conversations, Feedback and Recognition make OKRs work.
Takeaway
Goals need regular conversations.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 13 · Part 2
Continuous Performance Management
The idea
Replace annual reviews with ongoing conversations.
Try this
Hold regular check-ins on goals.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 14
OKRs Aren't Pay Tools
The idea
Doerr warns against tying OKRs directly to bonuses, which discourages ambition.
Takeaway
Keep goals separate from compensation.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 15 · Part 2
Culture Matters
The idea
OKRs work best in a culture of transparency and trust.
Takeaway
Culture eats goals for breakfast.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
Learning 16 · Throughout
Real-World Stories
Example
Doerr includes stories from companies and organisations such as Intel, Google, YouTube and the Gates Foundation.
Takeaway
The system adapts to many settings.
Measure What Mattersbooksinbytes.in
Books in Bytes
All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Objectives say where; key results say how you'll know. What's your one objective this quarter?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
1 / 18
Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read Measure What Matters by John Doerr (2018) for the full stories. More Books in Bytes