Introducing OKR Timeframes

Learn about OKR timeframe, frequency and period

Karolina Krawczyk avatar
Written by Karolina Krawczyk
Updated over a week ago

When preparing to roll out OKRs in your organization, you need to decide how to structure your strategy. One of the first important things to define is the timeframe of your OKRs.


About Timeframes and Frequencies

OKRs typically work with a combination of frequencies that interact with each other to create a rhythm of continuous and focused progress. You have a high-level goal with a longer horizon (Company OKRs), that can only be accomplished by working toward smaller goals with a shorter horizon (Circle OKRs).

To make it simple:

  • A timeframe is the overall duration of an OKR, built from a series of recurring frequencies.

  • A frequency is a single date range used to set the time in which the goal should be achieved.

  • A start date is the date on which the frequency takes effect.

Tip: Keep timeframes consistent across your organization to ensure all circles are coordinated and aligned. Start simple and grow as you learn!


Create or edit an OKR Timeframe

When creating or editing an OKR on Holaspirit, you can choose its timeframe to match your preferred planning cycle.

To add or edit an OKR's timeframe:

  • Go to the OKR app

  • Click on the Add OKR button to create a new OKR or open the OKR you wish to edit

  • In the Select a timeframe drop-down section, you can add or amend the timeframe of your OKR from the predefined choices available


Manage my organization's OKR Timeframes

Considering every organization follows its own strategy and structure, Administrators can manage the organization's OKR timeframes and create personalized ones so circles can be coordinated and aligned.

You'll start with a couple of OKR timeframes set up by default:

  • Monthly (1 month)

  • Quarterly (3 months)

  • Quadrimesterly (4 months)

  • Halfyearly (6 months)

  • Yearly (1 year)

But it is also possible to customize the frequency and start date of your default OKR timeframes:

  • Click on the three dots to open the timeframe's menu

  • Select Edit Timeframe

  • Custom the start date and apply the changes

The default timeframe doesn't work for you? You can add a personalized timeframe:

  • Click on the Add a timeframe button

  • Choose the name of your OKR timeframe

  • Select its desired frequency

  • Choose its start date

  • Click Create to confirm

📌 Note: You can also freely customize the frequency and the start date.

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