Since joining Kleiner Perkins in 1980, venture capitalist John Doerr has helped fund Intuit, Amazon, Google, Twitter, and a host of other well-known tech companies. Many of them utilize a goal-setting system Doerr calls “OKR,” for “objectives” and “key results.” His new book, Measure What Matters, contains his explanation for how and why the system works, as well as case studies by leaders who’ve adopted it — including Bill Gates, Larry Page, and Bono. Doerr stopped by HBR to talk about his passion for setting and reaching goals. Edited excerpts of that conversation follow:
How VC John Doerr Sets (and Achieves) Goals
His new book outlines a system of “objectives and key results.”
May 04, 2018, Updated May 07, 2018
Summary.
John Doerr, the venture capitalist who’s funded companies including Google, Intuit, and Amazon, describes a system he calls “Objectives and Key Results,” or OKR, the subject of his new book. He learned it from Intel CEO Andy Grove in the 1970s, and has taught it to hundreds of organizations since then. He views it as a significant improvement over traditional methods of setting goals. In the OKR system, the objective is what you want to have accomplished. The key results are how you’re going to get it done. Doerr says this transparency helps organizations be more focused, aligned, and committed in their work.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What you need to know about being in charge.