Navigating the Flexibility of OKR Frameworks and Timing Models

The OKR Trio is back with Part 2 of their brutally honest Q2 2025 forecast, and they're not holding back.

Sara Lobkovich, Maria Rowcliffe, and Natalie Webb tackle the questions you've been asking about rigid vs. flexible OKR approaches, timing models that actually work, and trends we’re seeing in tool choices.

But here's where it gets spicy: they're sharing their most controversial OKR opinions, speed round style!

From leaders trying to weaponize OKRs as surveillance tools to the popular (but problematic) advice to limit teams to just one strategic priority, this conversation will challenge norms you might not be able to imagine actually exist out there.

You'll discover why monthly check-ins might mean you're tracking instead of managing, how geography is shaping OKR strategy differently across continents, and why Excel is making a surprising comeback in the enterprise. Plus, Sara drops a financial metrics hot take that might make your CFO squirm.

This isn't your typical goal-setting advice. It's three veteran practitioners sharing what they're really seeing in the field, complete with the controversies, contradictions, and hard-won insights that only come from years in the trenches.

Episode Highlights:

• Quarterly vs. Trimesterly Planning: why the Q4 “drop-off” is real—and how cadence choices impact OKR adoption across teams
• Biweekly Reinforcement Loops: how one leadership team’s consistent review rhythm is accelerating organization-wide buy-in
• Tool Sprawl & Excel Resurgence: why many orgs are ditching premium OKR platforms for scrappier, process-first setups
• When Tools Hurt More Than Help: the danger of letting project management tools define your key results
• Hot Takes on OKRs: financial metrics don’t belong in key results (and one-size-fits-all “just one OKR” advice? Hard pass)
• Big Brother OKRs?: pushing back when leadership wants to use OKRs for surveillance instead of strategy
• Q3 Preview: a deep dive on execution, achievement—and how to actually decide what OKR tooling makes sense for your org

Key Concepts Explored:

• Hybrid Localization Approaches
• Leadership sets objectives, teams shape Key Results
• Themes as bridges when objectives don't translate locally
• KRs and Sub-KRs for fast-moving Scrum teams
• Moving away from rigid objective cascading
• Timing Model Evolution
• Biweekly check-ins integrated with Scrum cycles
• The discipline of at least twice-weekly KR management
• Quarterly vs. trimester cycle trade-offs
• Event-triggered OKR adjustments for volatile environments
• Tool Integration Strategies
• Process-first, tool-second implementation approach
• Excel resurgence due to cost considerations
• Avoiding dueling OKR and project management platforms
• Recognition that L1 and L2 math doesn't require specialty software
• Controversial Practices and Hot Takes
• OKRs as surveillance tools (problematic)
• Arbitrary "one OKR only" mandates (counterproductive)
• Financial metrics as KPIs vs. Key Results (contentious)
• Project deliverables masquerading as OKRs (misleading)

Notable Quotes:

"If you have a KR that you only manage monthly, you are not managing it, you're tracking it. Because you essentially have two data points, and then the quarter is over." — Maria Rowcliffe [00:06:00]

"Once we learn the words and leadership is modeling the words and meanings, then the rigidity can come out of the framework." — Sara Lobkovich [00:04:00]

"Financial metrics belong in mandatories and budgets. They're KPIs, they aren't key results." — Sara Lobkovich [00:15:00]

"Bad news only gets worse with time. So the earlier they can raise an issue, I think the better." — Natalie Webb [00:07:00]

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Introduction: Welcome Back to Part 2 of Q2 OKR Update

[00:02:00] Rigid vs. Flexible OKR Models: Finding the Right Balance

[00:05:00] Timing Models: Annual, Quarterly, and Everything In Between

[00:06:00] The Managing vs. Tracking Debate: Why Monthly Isn't Enough

[00:08:00] Geographic Strategy Differences: Chaos vs. Stability

[00:10:00] Tool Sprawl: Excel's Comeback and Platform Fatigue

[00:13:00] Controversial OKR Practices: Hot Takes and Push-Backs

[00:15:00] Financial Metrics Hot Take and Contact Information

[00:17:00] Q3 Preview and Final Thoughts

Upcoming Events:

• Catch Sara at the World OKR Summit! She’ll be speaking this October 30–31: okrsummit.org

Book Update:

• You Are A Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done: New book available in print and ebook. More info is here!

Natalie’s Links and Info:

• Company: Cloud Peak Enterprise Group (Founder)
• Specialization: Global OKR consulting (8+ years experience)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejwebb

Maria’s Link and Resources:

• Chief of Staff & Business Operations: 10+ years experience
• Specialization: OKR implementation, transformation, and program revitalization
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariarowcliffe

Sara’s Links and Resources:

• Email: sara@thinkydoers.com
• Website: https://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod
• Podcast: Thinkydoers Podcast (available on all major platforms)
• Social Media: Sara Lobkovich (across platforms)
• Newsletter: Subscribe at findrc.co/newsletter
• Contact: findrc.co/contact or hello@redcurrantco.com
• Programs and Services:
• No-BS Strategic Clarity Workshop: More info here
• No-BS OKRs Workbook: PDF download available at saralobkovich.com/no-bs-okrs-workbook-pdf-tc
• Speaking and Event Facilitation: Now booking!

Find full show notes and the episode transcript via https://findrc.co/thinkydoers !