OKRs: Spreadsheets vs. Software

Software vs. Spreadsheets for Tracking OKRs: Which is better?

The reason why spreadsheets aren't the best way to track OKRs

Finding the ideal way to track your goals openly, whether you're new to OKRs or have been managing them for a long time, can feel like an OKR in and of itself. Many organizations monitor objectives using Google Docs or Google Sheets, which may be a terrific, free tool. OKRs, on the other hand, can get lost in the shuffle when it comes to getting others involved in your goals.

OKRs are intended to align and engage teams, but if the process is inconvenient for users, you're unlikely to reap the exclusive benefits of OKRs. It's critical to develop positive habits and muscle memory as you complete each OKR cycle if you want to succeed with OKRs.

Using a specialized software platform to manage OKRs improves productivity, collaboration, and insight. OKRSoftwaretools, for example, has a straightforward user interface for managing goals at scale, visualizing goal hierarchy, gathering information through specialized dashboards, and fostering collaboration and involvement. However, because software can provide so much more value than a spreadsheet, we've compiled a list of the top reasons to use specialist OKR software rather than a spreadsheet.

Enhanced Alignment

Spreadsheets prohibit teams from deeply aligning their goals, ignoring one of OKRs' most important organizational benefits: alignment. There are various ways to understand the alignment you construct with OKRs utilizing the software. You can link team objectives to department objectives, all the way up to company-level goals, so that everyone has explicit knowledge of all plans and how they fit into the overall strategy.

Enhanced visibility

When OKRs are managed via spreadsheets, access is typically restricted to executives and department heads. Team members have fast access to strategic objectives and OKRs across teams when they use software, focusing on what's essential and emphasizing what's working and what isn't. This also allows everyone to see how their role contributes to its success.

Easily keep track of your progress

It might be challenging to remember to update measurements in spreadsheets, but a software application can provide reminders and rapidly update your progress with only a few clicks. Furthermore, because these changes are visible to the entire team and contribute to overall Confidence Scores, leaders can better picture how goals are developing. It's a fantastic way to track how team members are doing with their OKRs.

Reduced meetings and increased team involvement

OKRs are most effective when teams collaborate to achieve a common purpose. It enables a platform for team members and managers to give and receive direct feedback, enhancing engagement and cooperation across objectives and key results, using an OKR tool that records weekly qualitative insights from contributors. Streamlined OKR updates eliminate status-check emails and cut down on meetings that aren't necessary. A software platform, especially for remote teams, allows everyone to monitor goals and measure progress.

Curate a sense of quality assurance

Have you heard the sound of a falling tree in a forest? Do objectives become completed if shared but forgotten about two weeks later? When OKRs are kept in spreadsheets, executives rarely get a clear picture of how their goals are developing. By gathering qualitative confidence ratings for Objectives and Key Results, OKR software systems can improve accuracy and accountability. Leaders have better accuracy and responsibility with progress tracking when everyone on the team contributes confidence ratings connected to their goals. Through improved alignment and concentration, dedicated tools enable teams to voice concerns and catch issues before they become fires, reducing employee stress and wasting efforts.

Best practices that aren't expected

The trouble with spreadsheets is that they're usually set up at the start of the quarter and then forgotten about until the quarter's conclusion. An OKR software application combines best practices that assist the team at critical points in the OKR cycle. You don't need to create a template or create new spreadsheets every quarter. You don't need to use a calendar to keep track of your goals. It's all taken care of for you!

OKR experience is available to you.

You might be using the knowledge base of colleagues who have utilized OKRs before using a spreadsheet? Perhaps you're simply referring to John Doerr's Measure What Matters. However, if you use a technology like OKRSoftwaretools, you may get help and resources from OKR professionals. Our customer success advocates are here to assist you and your teams with any questions you may have. You can also leverage our extensive library of OKR Examples and resources

Remember that an ideal OKR solution will establish and reinforce strong habits while fitting in seamlessly with the way your team already works as you evaluate the best way to handle OKRs. Excellent practices and cross-functional collaboration are critical to the success of an OKR implementation at scale, and software facilitates them.