OKRs and KPIs: How to Measure the Progress of Your Business Goals

In a world shaped by competition and constant transformation, having accurate indicators to assess progress has become essential. The proper implementation of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) provides a structured framework to turn strategy into concrete, measurable results, ensuring more efficient management aligned with global objectives.

In this article, we will explore how to apply both approaches—from strategic planning to operational control—to ensure that indicators truly measure value and not just activity. We will also share practical examples by area and recommendations for integrating data into visual dashboards that support decision-making.

<<<Checklist: KPIs for decision making in business management>>>

Understanding OKRs: Strategic Direction and Alignment

OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results, are a management methodology that allows organizations to translate their vision into concrete, measurable goals.

Each OKR is made up of:

• Objectives: Qualitative goals that inspire and set direction.

• Key Results: Quantitative metrics that indicate the level of progress toward those objectives.

High-level planning with OKRs involves defining ambitious yet achievable goals that motivate teams. For example, an objective might be “Increase national brand awareness,” accompanied by key results such as “Increase social media mentions by 30%” and “Grow market share by 20%.”

For OKRs and KPIs 2026 to be effective, each manager must ensure their alignment with the company’s overall strategy, so that individual efforts contribute to collective success.

<<<Executive Team Alignment: Key to an Effective Results Review>>>

KPIs: Measuring Operational Performance with Precision

While OKRs define what the organization seeks to achieve, KPIs define how progress is measured.

KPIs act as operational performance thermometers and make it possible to assess whether processes are generating the expected impact. The challenge lies in selecting indicators that measure real value, not just activity.

In the financial area, for example, a key KPI could be operating cash flow, which measures the company’s ability to generate cash from its operations—an immediate reflection of its financial health.

When KPIs are designed based on strategic objectives, they become powerful tools for continuous improvement.

Below is a comparative summary of both approaches:

<<<TOP 10: the KPIs that every company should measure>>>

Examples by Area: Designing High-Impact Indicators

Marketing

Indicators such as lead conversion rate, customer acquisition cost, or return on advertising investment help evaluate campaign effectiveness and their contribution to OKRs and KPIs 2026.

Finance

In addition to operating cash flow, metrics such as net profit margin or return on assets measure profitability and efficiency in the use of resources.

Human Resources

Turnover rate, average time to hire, and employee satisfaction levels are KPIs that reflect organizational health and talent engagement with corporate objectives.

Operations

Indicators such as production cycle time, defect rate, or material usage efficiency help monitor quality, productivity, and the achievement of operational goals.

Each of these metrics, when properly selected, translates business strategy into measurable and comparable actions.

Data Integration in Visual Dashboards

Data visualization through interactive dashboards is an essential tool for turning information into decisions.

Dashboards allow OKRs and KPIs to be monitored in real time, deviations to be identified, and timely action to be taken.

Implementing tools that integrate these indicators into customized dashboards—whether through management software like monday.com or data analytics platforms—provides a global view of performance and promotes organizational transparency.

A well-designed dashboard does not just display numbers: it tells the story of progress and makes it possible to understand the “why” behind each result.

<<<Dashboard: key indicators for decision making>>>

Conclusion

Coordinated application of OKRs and KPIs makes it possible to build a comprehensive management model in which strategy and execution work in sync. OKRs inspire and guide; KPIs validate and correct course.

By focusing on indicators that truly add value, companies can align teams, optimize processes, and maintain continuous tracking toward expected results.