đź“Ś Alternatives to OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) when creating Goals
Explore alternatives to OKRs, including SMART, CLEAR, FAST, WOOP, Backward Goal Setting, and the 3x3 Method—each offering a different way to set and achieve goals.
1. SMART goals are a framework for setting clear, structured, and achievable objectives. The acronym stands for:
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S – Specific: The goal should be clear and well-defined.
Example: Instead of “I want to exercise more,” say “I will go to the gym 3 times a week.” -
M – Measurable: You should be able to track progress and measure the outcome.
Example: “Increase customer satisfaction score from 70% to 85%.” -
A – Achievable (or Attainable): The goal should be realistic and possible, considering resources and constraints.
Example: “Learn the basics of SQL in 2 months” instead of “Master data science in 2 weeks.” -
R – Relevant: The goal should align with broader objectives (personal, team, or organizational).
Example: If your company’s focus is customer retention, a relevant goal could be “Reduce churn by 10%.” -
T – Time-bound: There should be a clear deadline or timeframe.
Example: “Publish 10 blog posts by the end of Q3.”
👉 Together, SMART goals help avoid vague objectives like “do better at work” and turn them into actionable, trackable, and motivating plans.
2. CLEAR Goals
- Collaborative – encourages teamwork and shared responsibility
- Limited – focused and not overwhelming
- Emotional – personally meaningful to keep motivation high
- Appreciable – broken down into smaller, incremental steps
- Refinable – can adapt as situations change
👉 Why it’s good: Great for dynamic environments where agility is key.
3. FAST Goals
- Frequently discussed
- Ambitious
- Specific
- Transparent
👉 Why it’s good: Encourages ambition but keeps the goal visible and regularly reviewed, instead of “set and forget.”
4. WOOP Method
- Wish – Define what you want to achieve.
- Outcome – Visualize the best result.
- Obstacles – Identify what could get in the way.
- Plan – Decide how to overcome obstacles.
👉 Why it’s good: Excellent for personal or behavioral goals that require mindset change.
5. Backward Goal Setting
- Start with the end state you want to achieve.
- Work backward to map the steps required to get there.
👉 Why it’s good: Keeps focus on the big picture and prevents aimless short-term actions.
6. The 3x3 Goal Method
- Choose 3 main goals for the year.
- For each goal, define 3 concrete actions you’ll take to achieve it.
👉 Why it’s good: Simple, easy to remember, prevents goal overload.