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Key Roles for Effective OKR Implementation

Jan 26, 2025

Making OKRs Work in an Organization

Key Roles

To successfully implement OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in an organization, three key roles are essential:

1. The Champion

  • Authority & Adoption: Responsible for adopting OKRs as a goal-setting system.
    • Typically a manager, department head, or ideally someone at the executive level, like the CEO.
  • Support & Legitimacy: Enthusiastically supports OKRs to lend the program legitimacy and credibility.
    • Essential for generating enthusiasm and collective commitment.

2. The Conductor

  • Leadership & Alignment: Leads the mechanics of the OKR program and aligns goals with action plans.
    • Often a role undertaken by the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
    • Can be the same person as the Champion but typically distinct roles for broader success.
  • Accountability & Operations: Ensures operational responsibilities are met.
    • Owns the OKR calendar and sets expectations for OKR usage.
    • Ideally not from HR, but someone responsible for products and services delivery.

3. The Shepherd

  • Facilitation & Execution: Facilitates the OKR cycle, including creation, tracking, grading, and reflecting.
    • Acts as a coach, project manager, or cheerleader to help teams meet deadlines.
    • Ensures meetings happen on schedule, reflections are recorded, and tools are used effectively.
  • Communication & Integrity: Sends emails, sets calendar invites, and maintains OKR integrity.
    • Provides leadership opportunities and plays a central role in achieving priorities.
    • In large organizations, there may be multiple shepherds (one per department or unit).
    • Regular meetings among shepherds align efforts and flag cross-departmental needs.

Teamwork & Support

  • A successful OKR program requires collaboration among champions, conductors, and shepherds.
  • Building a strong support network optimizes the chances of success with OKR implementation.

In summary, the roles of the champion, conductor, and shepherds are integral to the successful operation of OKRs, ensuring alignment, support, execution, and integrity across the organization.

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