An overview of how OKR check-ins work and some suggested questions to ask during the check-in.
What is a weekly or bi-weekly Check-in?
A weekly or bi-weekly check-in is part of the OKR process and is for teams to share how everyone is doing with their Key Results.
Why do we need to run a Check-in?
- Check-ins help identify if any changes need to be made sooner rather than later and provide greater transparency about OKR progress.
- Check-ins give the team lead overall awareness of the progress and confidence for the team OKRs. It is the place for the team leader to discuss and be able to understand any challenges that are occurring and offer additional help and resources if necessary.
- Check-ins are the easiest way for the Key Result owner to highlight if there are any hiccups in confidence or progress, or what help is required with a Key Result.
- Check-ins help the Objective owner to understand the progress and confidence of the Key Results that contribute to their Objective (as other people may own these Key Results).
What needs to happen before the check-in?
Firstly, it's important to note that the Check-in should ideally be integrated into your existing meeting cycle, rather than serving as an additional meeting.
Key Result progress and confidence should be updated in the TG App, bi-weekly and before each Check-in - see also How to update a Key Result in TG.
How should we run a Check-in?
Check-ins should be between 15-30 minutes and be part of the current meeting cycle.
Check-ins are to discuss progress and any help required – they are not meant to be used to discuss in intricate detail why or why not success has occurred.
This means just acknowledge the OKRs that are on track and all green and move on!
Steps
- Open your team Objectives view
- Celebrate any successes during the last two weeks!
- For the Key Results that have 🤞hiccups or 👋require help, ensure the team focuses the KR owner on the next steps by asking:
- What has the progress been since the last check-in?
- Do you need help? If so, who from?
- Are there any obstacles or challenges which may prevent you from achieving your OKR?
- If the conversation needs longer, or there is need to refocus - book a session offline to resolve it.
- Discuss priorities for the coming week which will best benefit the objectives – flag up if there are conflicting priorities or challenges.