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What are Yes/No Key Results?

How to measure success of Key Results that are comprised of larger sets of activities, rather than a single measurable outcome.

Key Results theoretically, should not be a yes/no choice, i.e. where the measure is something that either occurs, or it doesn’t.  Key Results should be a results-oriented metric.


The exception is when there are Key Results which appear to be yes/no, but in fact are more complex.  Where Key Results are comprised of larger sets of tasks, that take considerable time and effort and are vital to the achievement of the Objective. 


Examples of these types of Key Results could be:
  • We move to a new office space
  • We put out a tender for new health care
  • Publish a new language version of the website

It is always important to communicate progress throughout the period not only for the owner of the Key Result but also for any other Objectives that may be aligned to the Objective this Key Result supports.

The question is, how do we measure and communicate progress towards these type of Key Results through the period?

With Yes/No Key Results, a measure could be given in the form of a completion percentage.

Example

Key Result - Publish a new language version of the website

An example of completion percentages could be:

  • 25% success – content collected and sent to translator
  • 50% success – language version finalized and ready for content entry
  • 75% success - content, metadata and images are inserted
  • 90% success – website is proofread and tested
  • 100% success – site is published

Completion percentages allow the Key Result owner to have milestones to communicate success and achievement of the Key Result throughout the period.

Completion percentages also mean that if the Key Result is not fully achieved at the end of the period a degree of success and achievement is recorded rather than just a 'No'.