Great article as always Tom! Very in-depth and extensive!
I'm not a fan of OKR either.
Besides all the reasons you mentioned, I think they only work for a select group of people: the ones who set goals and pursue them step-by-step. The single-minded laser-focused people. I know a couple of them, and what they achieve is amazing. But I feel the part of population that can actually do that is really small. And, I also think we need the "in the moment thinking generalizers who try a million things and fix things along the way" are also very needed in complex environments (maybe even more so).
I do like the type of conversations OKR can enable: "I'd like to focus on this, what can you contribute, or which problems do you see". Theoretically, this can help achieve more understanding between the different "layers" in a company.
Basically, in my ideal world you'd use something similar to OKR to start conversations, and then basically ignore them later.
Good article, Tom. And, of course, I agree with your thesis. But let's be fair; those of us who know and appreciate Dave's work have an advantage in these (and other) matters! ;-D
Very timely, Tom! I will share some of your acerbic wit with a "value management office" this week.
Great article as always Tom! Very in-depth and extensive!
I'm not a fan of OKR either.
Besides all the reasons you mentioned, I think they only work for a select group of people: the ones who set goals and pursue them step-by-step. The single-minded laser-focused people. I know a couple of them, and what they achieve is amazing. But I feel the part of population that can actually do that is really small. And, I also think we need the "in the moment thinking generalizers who try a million things and fix things along the way" are also very needed in complex environments (maybe even more so).
I do like the type of conversations OKR can enable: "I'd like to focus on this, what can you contribute, or which problems do you see". Theoretically, this can help achieve more understanding between the different "layers" in a company.
Basically, in my ideal world you'd use something similar to OKR to start conversations, and then basically ignore them later.
Someone had to say it! Nice article :)
Good article, Tom. And, of course, I agree with your thesis. But let's be fair; those of us who know and appreciate Dave's work have an advantage in these (and other) matters! ;-D