The OKRs Field Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for Objectives and Key Results Coaches

by Ben Lamorte

This is the first book dedicated to OKRs coaching. This is not an introduction to OKRs. Instead, this book is written for external and internal coaches looking to take their OKRs coaching skills to the next level. It provides a comprehensive framework to guide users through the phases and steps necessary to make your OKRs coaching project a success.

Genres: Business, Management, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2021

About the author

Ben Lamorte, founder of OKRs.com, is an internationally recognized OKRs coach. He has consulted with organizations around the world, including eBay, CareerBuilder, Zalando, Sears Holding, and Booking.com. Ben’s first book, Objectives and Key Results: Driving Focus, Alignment, and Engagement with OKRs (co-authored with Paul Niven) was published by Wiley in September, 2016. He holds a graduate degree in Management Science & Engineering with a focus on Decision Analysis and Organizational Dynamics from Stanford University.

Ben lives in Marin County with his amazing wife, Ariana, his 13-year-old son, Toby, and Lizzie, his soon-to-be-rockstar 9-year old daughter. They do not have a dog or a cat, but since this is an author-bio, it seemed like a good idea to mention current pet-status. Oh, and Lizzie really wants a dog or a cat.

Reviews

[Nopadol Rompho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It is so practical. If you are the one who is responsible to implement OKRs in your organization, I think that this is a book for you.

[Martin Imrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben has written the first dedicated book to OKRs coaching. I couldn't wait to read the book as I had already read almost all available OKRs books and wanted to dig deeper. And this book exceeded my expectations. Ben is a seasoned coach and managed to share his years of experience in a short, readable, and straight-to-the-point book full of relevant examples, valuable exercises, and great questions.

I loved how Ben let us get inside his head by sharing what he was thinking during the coaching conversations with his clients. I also enjoyed specific examples of emails and agendas for workshops and training.

The book includes strong questions you can ask your clients or employees at any stage of an OKRs implementation and gives a clear structure of an efficient OKRs program. This book is a must for any external or internal OKRs coach!

[Ankit Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that's a refined literature who is aspiring to coach or learn OKRs, loved every section of it, thanks Ben

[Aditya Kasture · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough guide for a very specific set of people. Ben clearly is one of the most experienced OKRs coaches in the field. This book provides solid proof of that. The playbook covers everything you can possibly think about in your journey as an OKRs coach.

An excellent read to deeply understand the value of OKRs.

[Mulyadi Oey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKR is a simple and powerful framework. Simple, especially when you use it for yourself, such as when making your own yearly goal. However, the situation is more challenging when you try to adopt OKR for a larger group of people or for the whole company.

This book is precisely handy and timely. Handy – because Ben laid out each step needed for OKR implementation in detail and with accuracy. Timely – because as OKR becomes more popular, we increasingly need tried-and-true guidelines so that more organizations can take advantage of this powerful framework. This book gives people who practice OKR useful advice and the confidence to ignore unfounded and anecdotal opinions about OKR practice.

This book is not about how great OKR is and leaves you stranded to randomly figure out the implementation. This book is a solid companion to guide you to implement OKR properly in your organization.

[Oana Calugar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started using OKRs and implementing them in my company and after that with partners, I used a lot of trial and error. But after reading and implementing the ideas and exercises from the "OKRs Field Book", I can run a smooth OKR implementation faster, with better results. I especially found useful the OKR Training Workshop sample agenda and timing. The vast collection of over 50 useful questions for the OKR Coach is brilliant and I use them in every OKR workshop. 

If you just decided to learn and implement OKRs, this book is for you! And if you're in the middle of an OKR program that's stuck, this book will help get back on the right track!

[Michael Schneiderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books on OKRs and have a good understanding of them but have been experimenting through trial and error on how to train and coach OKRs. Ben's experience really shines in this book and provides clarity on the OKRs Coaching engagement as well as three phases on implementation: Deployment coaching, Training, and Cycle Coaching. For each phase of the OKR process, the book provides the reason why it is important; how to conduct the workshop along with examples. I am excited to use this book as a basis for my future OKRs coaching plans!

[Wendy Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

After doing multiple OKRs implementations, the first question that popped in my mind when I read the book is "where has this book been?". Not only is it very easy to read, the most important aspect of Ben Lamorte's take on OKRs is the practicality of content. While other OKRs books provide quite a generic overview, they haven't been helpful to assist in real-time implementation. OKRs Field Book is very much a guide to properly implement OKRs in your organization while ensuring that you can apply the concepts in real life. Must read for anyone taking on the role of an OKR coach/champion.

[Nathalie Karasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ca. 4 years ago I was searching for a hands on book about OKRs. This is the book I had wished for :-) Really good insights an tips about OKRs. I can really relate to some of the findings and trends from my own experience with OKRs. If you ask me which books are useful if your company or client wants to start using OKRs, then I recommend the two book of Ben Lamorte.

[Carlos Martinez Tuanama · Rating 3 out of 5]

field book means instructions book

I don’t find it valuable to read instructions. I prefer stories that make everything more concrete. This book has very few stories and the rest is do this or don’t do that. For the quality of the content I think $15 was too much.

[Megha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a must-read for OKR coaches and the leadership thinking to roll out OKRs in their organization.
Ben Lamorte has masterfully laid the foundation of OKR implementation with actionable step-by-step instructions that improve the probability of success for OKR adoption tenfold.
Being an OKR coach myself, I quickly related to the challenges and struggles mentioned in the book and the ways to overcome those. The rollout of any new construct in the organization inherently comes with challenges, risks, and fear of resistance shown by the workforce.An effective change management techniques are critical to ensure the ROI of implementing OKRs. Ben Lamorte has skillfully taken care of change management aspects of rolling out OKRs by touching upon the importance of leadership articulating the Why behind OKRs, leadership agreeing on the “deployment parameters,” need for roles ( OKR coach/ champion) to support teams throughout the execution of OKRs.
This book will serve as a guidebook, a must tool for OKR coaches and leadership interested in driving towards results and value-driven culture"

[Catherine Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the case studies and examples in this book enlightening, easy to understand, and easy to apply. I chose 5 stars for this book since this is a handbook of best practices in the real world of using OKRs coaching to get results.
Many organizations shared with me that they struggle to apply OKRs in their organizations. They came across various challenges like why the OKRs I define is not engaging? Why do my people not support OKRs? Why my OKRs check-in meetings are boring and not effective? How do we make sure our OKRs are not on the to-do list?
After learning three phases and three steps of the OKRs cycle described in this book, you can find all the answers in this book. By the way, another valuable take-away I found is: how to implement OKRs properly: not jump into defining objectives and key results straightforwardly but starting by defining deployment parameters for client's OKRs initiative. Read! Then read again.

[Joe Lesher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically do NOT like formulaic improvement processes and didn't want OKRs to be another box-checking exercise. As with other books and articles, the OKR concept is clear and compelling. However, what is great about Ben's book is the practical guidance, real-world examples, and the implicit flexibility to adapt the use of OKRs in a way that makes sense for your organization.

We actually engaged Ben and one of his coaches to help us kick off the process. In a very short time, we were able to reduce our myriad of operational metrics and focus on a balanced set of critical, needle-moving key results. We now focus on metrics that make sense and not on metrics that "have always been used". In addition, our teams feel empowered by being able to change a metric mid-quarter if the original metric no longer makes sense or isn't the best metric to indicate progress toward their objective. This is a huge culture shift for us.

If you are looking for a recipe, this is not your book. However, this is your book, if you are looking for practical and usable guidance along with examples that you can relate to.
--Joe Lesher, Ph.D.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben makes the OKR process make sense. He encourages short term objectives with "simple" key results that can be measured. Once the objective, why, and why now are explained to focus the reason for the objective, the key results can be fashioned. The reasoning for the process and how to write the key results are helpful for focusing the plan. Our organization has benefited from Ben's books - both the original and the field guide. The process did away with Power Point presentations at our org and makes meetings and discussions more powerful and constructive. I highly recommend his books. It's and easy straight-forward and fun read!

[Lucas Gauzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for any OKR enthusiast, coach, practitioner- or even if you are simply curious! Ben has a way to take you on a trip through time, recollecting his key learning points while providing real, practical context to each of them. This is not just a theoretical OKR guide, it also deep dives into practical scenarios and provides tools to properly assess your context and choose wisely how to proceed from deployment to cycle coaching. Whether you are new to OKRs or a seasoned coach, there is content in this book that will help you refine your approach.

[Gary Cokins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is confusion and lack of consensus about performance measurements. Does one use key performance indicators (KPIs)? Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)? Do they apply to individuals or to teams? Should they involve employee pay bonuses incentives. The answers to these and other questions are in this book written by a expert and thought leader in this field, Ben Lamorte. It is a book well worth reading.

[Ronaldo Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for anyone who wants to learn how to use and implement OKRs in the most practical, effective and clear way possible! I'm sure this book will take your knowledge to a higher level!

[Chris Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKRs are a tricky subject to master. Yeah, it is a best practice of successful companies but they are not straight forward and easy to implement into practice. This is a bible of tips for utilizing OKRs optimally.

[Manos Koumantakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and his team have compiled the bible for OKRs coaching!

The book is packed with real cases presented in a structured framework that OKRs coaches can implement right away. A must-read for anyone looking to improve their OKRs coaching skills!

[applekern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for work, great & actionable advice + examples, much more concise input than many other books out there provide.
Did not love the promo at the end, but it is what it is.

[Evi Petridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready to Elevate Your OKRs Coaching? 🚀 🚀

Have you ever encountered a book that fundamentally changes how you approach your profession? For us, that book is "The OKRs Field Book" by Ben Lamorte. It's not just a guide; it's a journey into the heart of effective coaching, offering invaluable insights into the implementation of Objectives and Key Results. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gcT8GhK4
From laying down foundational principles to sharing expert tips, Ben's expertise radiates from every page, making intricate concepts understandable and actionable. Whether you're an external or internal coach, this book is an absolute game-changer.
A profound thank you to Ben Lamorte for this priceless resource. Your guidance has been invaluable, Ben, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to embark on this transformative journey under your mentorship.

[Luiz Corandin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The OKRs field book is a must-read for anyone interested in becoming an OKR Coach. It is straightforward in terms of what and how you should do to deploy OKRs. How to conduct OKR coaching sessions, OKRs pitfalls to avoid, even how to make an OKR coaching proposal and much more. Ben knows best about OKRs and shares all his experiences in this book. Strongly recommended.

[Michael Goitein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Resource for Raising the Level of Objectives and Key Results Coaching

I know Ben LaMorte has been working hard on this book for at least a couple of years, and it shows. This is truly a comprehensive guide. So many of my questions, challenges I’ve run into coaching teams through the OKRs Set, Check-In, and Reflect & Re-Set cadence are addressed here. It seems as though Ben has been listening into my coaching sessions, and always has great questions. A great way to improve one’s skills as a coach and consultant, as well. Highly recommended!

[Dominic Bouffard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm passionnate about the OKR framework. I read almost all the books and implemented OKR with trial and error. In a sense it's a good way to learn but this book will certainly help people to kickstart their OKR journey in their organization. This book helps understand the different approach shared in those following books: Radical Focus, Measure What Matters and Objectives and Key Results: Driving Focus, Alignment, and Engagement with OKRs.

[Arkadii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for those who want to work with/consult Objective and Key Results system. It provides insightful tips, is though provoking and makes you really rethink the assumptions/expectations of OKR in your organization.
It is much much more practical than other acclaimed titles on OKRs ;) So grab it and implement

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an updated version of "The OKRs FieldBook", I highly recommend Ben's book for any and all OKR coaches. Ben's book provides a solid foundation, with defined steps, to support successful implementation of OKRs. If you have been challenged with a successful OKR implementation, or are considering launching an OKR program, this is the book for you!

[Christoph Kappel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read with lots of references to the other OKR books you need to read prior. (Measure What Matters, Radical Focus : Achieving Your Most Important Goals with Objectives and Key Results and Objectives and Key Results: Driving Focus, Alignment, and Engagement with OKRs)

The overall idea of the book is to allow people to become OKR coaches and especially the questions inside of the book to help facilitating the drafting of KR is really helpful.

It help me to solve some questions by referencing all the other books and bringing everything in perspective, to in general a good read.

[Ben Hizak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a practical book!

After reading four books on the topic. This is is the clear winner. After 2 years of bumbling around, we're getting there, and the energy in the room is palpable. Thanks to advice that distills years of experience. Experienced Authors write short books, because they know what they want to say and they say only that. This is one such book.

Context:
I lead a team of ~100 people. We've implemented OKRs years ago, but I could never get teams to work on the same objectives. Now I know why! Since each team had their own objectives, OKRs created silos more than it fostered collaboration.

Lamorte points out some nuanced but critical keys to look out for. We now see the OKR team as "The Department Heads" rather than "Engineering" or "Product". We now know what questions to ask to help us tell apart "Do stuff" from "see results". We now allocate time between OKR cycles to review/reset.

We're now a more outcome oriented team.

Thank you Ben!

Update: while reading the book, I reached out to the author with some questions about the book. He was really helpful.

[Henry-Akinloluwa Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant masterpiece for anyone helping businesses and teams adopt OKRs as a performance management framework.

[Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chega até ser um absurdo que este livro não se encontra traduzido, visto que é um recurso de altíssima qualidade em recursos práticos e experiência de trabalho, sendo "ouro líquido" para os que trabalham com OKRs. Uma boa leitura para qualquer pessoa que já passou os conhecimentos iniciais/introdução da metodologia, e um excelente guia para os que trabalham com ela.