John Doerr OKR Scoring

Evaluate your goals with a John Doerr OKR scoring session. Grade key results numerically, reflect on qualitative performance, and adjust targets for your next cycle.

5 time blocks, 20 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Grade Key Results Numerically: 5 min
Assign a numerical grade from 0.0 to 1.0 for each target metric
Contextual Subjective Self Assessment: 5 min
Examine qualitative progress and external factors behind the score
Calculate Average Objective Scores: 3 min
Average the results to check if you hit the 0.6 to 0.7 stretch range
Reflective Performance Audit: 4 min
Identify key obstacles, unexpected wins, and critical lessons learned
Cycle Action Decision: 3 min
Decide whether to carry forward, alter, or retire each objective

About this routine

John Doerr introduced Objectives and Key Results to Google in 1999 after learning the framework at Intel under Andy Grove. In his book Measure What Matters, Doerr outlines a clear process for grading performance at the end of every cycle. A structured John Doerr OKR scoring session moves beyond simple pass or fail metrics by pairing objective numbers with subjective self assessment.

The scoring method uses a decimal scale from 0.0 to 1.0 for each key result. Doerr emphasizes that the ideal average score for ambitious stretch goals sits between 0.6 and 0.7. Consistently scoring 1.0 indicates that targets were set too low, while scores below 0.4 signal a need to re-evaluate capacity or strategy.

A complete review finishes with intentional decisions for the upcoming period. Every objective is reviewed to determine if it should be continued without changes, revised with updated key results, or dropped entirely. This review provides clear feedback to guide future planning without punishment for missed targets.

Why this routine works

Provides clear numerical feedback on goal achievement without emotional bias
Encourages setting ambitious stretch targets by normalizing 60 to 70 percent success rates
Separates raw quantitative metrics from qualitative execution context
Establishes a predictable decision framework for continuing or retiring goals

FAQ

What is a good score in John Doerr's OKR framework?

In John Doerr's framework, an average score between 0.6 and 0.7 is considered optimal for stretch goals. Consistently scoring 1.0 means your goals were not ambitious enough, while scores below 0.4 highlight serious execution bottlenecks or unrealistic targets.

How often should you run an OKR scoring session?

Scoring sessions typically take place at the end of a quarterly or monthly cycle. This timing allows enough data to accumulate for meaningful grading before setting goals for the next period.

What is the difference between objective and subjective OKR scoring?

Objective scoring measures pure quantitative output on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0. Subjective scoring incorporates qualitative context, such as unexpected market changes or resource constraints, to explain why the numbers look the way they do.

Sources

Measure What Matters, John Doerr