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OKR vs KPI: How to Align Strategy and Performance

By Alexander Espa4 min read
OKR vs KPI: How to Align Strategy and Performance

Why OKRs and KPIs Are Essential for PMOs and Transformation Directors

In an era where digital transformation and organizational agility are top priorities, Transformation Directors and PMOs (Project Management Offices) constantly seek tools to: ✔ Align strategy with execution ✔ Measure the impact of initiatives ✔ Drive real-time performance

Two frameworks stand out: OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Yet their use and complementarity often remain unclear.

Oramapp, a platform dedicated to strategic alignment and performance management, helps clarify these concepts and integrate them effectively into your organization.


1. KPIs: The Performance Thermometer

What Is a KPI?

A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is a metric that measures the efficiency of an activity, project, or organization. ⚠ Common Misconception: A KPI is not a goal—it’s a health indicator of operational performance.

Examples of KPIs by Function

FunctionKPI Examples
Digital TransformationAdoption rate of new tools, average deployment time, ROI of digital projects
PMOProjects delivered on time, budget vs. actual, stakeholder satisfaction
FinanceBurn rate, cash flow, operational margin
HRTurnover rate, employee satisfaction, time-to-hire

How to Create an Effective KPI?

  • Relevance: Directly linked to a strategic issue.
  • Simplicity: Easy to understand and track.
  • Actionable: A change in the KPI should trigger an action (e.g., a drop in on-time delivery → process review).

💡 Oramapp Tip: Centralize and visualize your KPIs in real time, with automatic alerts for deviations—enabling proactive decision-making.


2. OKRs: The GPS for Strategy

What Is an OKR?

OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a strategic management framework that defines ambitious goals and breaks them down into measurable results. Popularized by Google, OKRs are now adopted by the most agile organizations.

Structure of an OKR

  • Objective (O): A qualitative, inspiring ambition (e.g., "Become the leader in digital transformation in our industry").
  • Key Results (KRs): 3–5 quantitative indicators that measure progress (e.g., "Achieve 80% adoption of our new platform by Q3").

Examples of OKRs for Transformation Directors and PMOs

ObjectiveKey Results (KRs)
Accelerate business process digitizationReduce client request processing time by 30% through automation
Train 100% of teams on new tools within 6 months
Achieve a 9/10 satisfaction score for new processes

Why Are OKRs Essential?

  • Alignment: Ensure every team contributes to the overall strategy.
  • Focus: Avoid dispersion by concentrating on what truly matters.
  • Agility: Quickly adjust priorities based on results.

💡 Oramapp Tip: Easily create, track, and align OKRs at all organizational levels with collaborative dashboards and automated reviews.


3. OKR vs KPI: Key Differences and Complementarity

CriteriaOKRKPI
RoleDrive strategy and innovationMeasure operational performance
FrequencyQuarterly or annualContinuous
FlexibilityChange with strategic prioritiesStable over time
ImpactTransform processes and outcomesMonitor existing performance
Associated ToolsCollaborative platforms (Oramapp)Dashboards, reports

How to Combine Them with Oramapp?

  • KPIs alert you to operational issues.
  • OKRs help you solve these issues by aligning teams on strategic goals.
  • Oramapp links KPIs and OKRs in a single interface, providing a unified view of performance and strategy.

4. Practical Case: Integrating OKRs and KPIs with Oramapp

Scenario: Digital Transformation of a Large Enterprise

Problem: Low adoption rate of new digital tools (KPI), slowing down transformation.

Solution with Oramapp:

Step 1: Define an OKR

  • Objective: "Make digitalization a performance lever for all business units."
  • KRs:
    1. Achieve 90% adoption of digital tools by Q4.
    2. Reduce time spent on manual tasks by 40%.
    3. Train 100% of managers in digital best practices.

Step 2: Track Associated KPIs

  • Weekly adoption rate.
  • Average time per process before/after digitization.
  • User feedback.

Step 3: Pilot with Oramapp

  • Real-time dashboards
  • Automatic alerts for deviations
  • Integrated team reviews to adjust actions

Result: A digital transformation that is aligned, measurable, and agile, with a direct impact on overall performance.


5. Conclusion: OKRs and KPIs, the Winning Duo for PMOs and Transformation Directors

  • KPIs are your health indicators—they tell you where you stand.
  • OKRs are your strategic compass—they show you where to go.
  • Oramapp is the platform that unites them, enabling smart, collaborative, and data-driven performance and transformation management.

🚀 Next Step: Discover how Oramapp can help you align your OKRs and KPIs.

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Written by

Alexander Espa

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