In the context of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), a Leading Key Result is a specific, measurable action or metric that predicts future performance and progress towards achieving an objective. Leading Key Results serve as early indicators of success, offering insights that can guide proactive adjustments and efforts to ensure that the organization stays on track to meet its goals.
Key aspects of Leading Key Results include:
- Predictive Measurement: Leading Key Results focus on activities or metrics that indicate future performance, such as early-stage actions and behaviors that drive results.
- Forward-Looking Data: These Key Results rely on forward-looking data, providing insights into what is likely to happen based on current trends and activities.
- Proactive Management: Leading Key Results enable organizations to make proactive adjustments, addressing potential issues before they impact final outcomes.
- Alignment with Objectives: Each Leading Key Result directly supports an objective by providing actionable insights that drive progress towards achieving the goal.
Leading vs. Lagging Indicators:
- Leading Indicators: Predict future performance and outcomes. They are forward-looking metrics that indicate how well the organization is likely to perform, such as the number of new leads generated, employee training hours completed, or early-stage customer feedback.
- Lagging Indicators: Measure outcomes that result from past actions. They tell you what has happened, such as revenue earned, customers served, or projects completed.
Examples of Leading Key Results in a non-profit context include:
- Fundraising Pipeline: Number of new donor prospects identified and contacted each month, predicting future donation levels.
- Community Outreach: Number of outreach events scheduled and conducted each quarter, indicating future community engagement and program participation.
- Volunteer Recruitment: Number of new volunteer applications received each month, forecasting the availability of volunteer support for upcoming initiatives.
- Grant Applications: Number of grant proposals submitted each quarter, predicting potential funding success and resource availability.
By tracking and analyzing Leading Key Results, non-profit organizations can gain valuable insights into their future performance, make proactive adjustments, and ensure that they are on the right path to achieve their strategic objectives and mission.
