4 Pivotal Ways an OKR Dashboard Drives Alignment and High Performance
When done right, the objectives and key results (OKR) framework can help an organization increase employee engagement, productivity, and motivation. But setting OKRs is just the first step. Tracking and visualizing progress is critical in helping individuals and teams achieve those goals. That’s why an OKR dashboard is such a valuable tool.
Read on to learn four ways an OKR dashboard can help align your entire organization around shared goals while increasing individual and team performance.
What is an OKR dashboard?
Just like your car’s dashboard displays important metrics like how many miles you’ve put on and how much gas you have in the tank, an OKR dashboard shows your OKR goals and how much progress has been made on each objective and key result.
Visualizing progress in this way helps employees and leaders keep track of where they’re at on personal OKRs, team-level OKRs, and organizational goals. (Think of it as your OKR scorecard.) Being able to see and discuss individual and team objectives while tracking and measuring key results can improve transparency and motivate employees to perform at a higher level.
Need help writing effective objectives and key results? Check out these OKR examples. >
Four ways an OKR dashboard drives performance
With a holistic performance management solution that includes an OKR dashboard, you can track OKRs in real-time and see a birds-eye view of individual and team progress. And while there are many (many) other ways an OKR dashboard can positively impact performance, we managed to narrow it down to four of the most compelling.
1. Goals that are visualized in a dashboard are more likely to be achieved.
Research shows documenting goals significantly increases the chances of achieving them. Visualizing OKRs in an easy-to-read dashboard gives employees and managers visibility into progress, wins, and roadblocks, and can increase personal accountability and teamwork.
Using software built to integrate seamlessly with other HR tools and processes makes the entire process of setting and tracking goals easier and more efficient. And having all OKR reports stored in one place to easily reference during critical conversations and team meetings helps keep objectives top-of-mind.
2. An OKR dashboard allows you to track real-time progress at a glance
Ever notice runners pick up speed when they can see the finish line? There’s a psychological reason for that. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that the ability to see and monitor the distance from a goal is crucial for goal attainment.
With progress bars, color coding, and other visual elements, an OKR dashboard doesn’t just tell but shows employees how much further they have to go to reach a goal and when they’re falling behind the pace.
See how you can easily set and track OKRs and goals with 15Five >
3. You can use the dashboard to integrate OKRs with manager check-ins
During regular manager check-ins, leaders can review the OKR dashboard with their direct reports to provide helpful feedback, uncover challenges, and celebrate wins. Managers can use OKR metrics to facilitate goal discussions and review if their employee or team is on track.
Managers can also reference the OKR dashboard when digging into specific areas where the team needs help or uncover why someone is behind on a particular goal. And since priorities can sometimes change, these reviews are a good time for employees and managers to check in on KPIs and OKRs to make sure the objectives still align with the company’s goals and that the right key results are in place.
4. An OKR dashboard promotes better organizational alignment and transparency
A good OKR dashboard helps you scale the OKR process and align your organization around shared goals, motivating everyone in the company to work (and win) together.
With the enhanced clarity and transparency an OKR dashboard provides, employees can see how their efforts impact team and company goals and connect their work to a deeper purpose. When the entire company is aligned on common goals, they’re more motivated and inspired to focus on what matters most to move the business forward.
Need help designing a winning OKR program? Take a peek at our playbook
Developing an OKR strategy can be a big undertaking, but one that will pay off for your people and lead to better business outcomes. If you could use a little help understanding the best ways to launch, create, and track OKRs, we put together a tactical guide just for you.
Learn about the importance of goal setting, how OKRs can fit into your performance management strategy, common pitfalls to avoid, (and more!) in our comprehensive OKR playbook.
