OKR Implementation Readiness: Why You Should Define Company Vision First

When OKR Seems Like the Answer

Hello everyone!

“We don’t know where we’re going, we have no goals — we need to implement OKR.” This kind of thinking is what brings many companies to the topic of OKR, and to adopting other new tools in general. But before jumping in, it’s worth pausing to ask: are you and your team actually ready to set goals? Is OKR implementation the key to solving your problem — or does the real problem run much deeper?

That’s exactly what this article is about. Using a real client case, we’ll explain why rushing to adopt new tools isn’t always the right move for your business.

OKR Implementation Readiness Starts With the Right Questions

Before reaching for a new framework, leadership teams need to honestly assess whether the organization has a clear sense of direction. OKR is a powerful instrument — but like any tool, it only works well in the right hands and at the right moment. Swinging the axe before you know which tree to fell is a recipe for wasted effort.

In this piece, we walk through the diagnostic questions that reveal whether your company is truly ready for OKR goal setting — and what foundational work needs to happen first if it isn’t.

About the Author

This article was written by Andrey Kushnarev, Partner at Product Lab, Head of Strategic Sessions and MVP Lab practices, and Director of New Digital Products at Rostelecom.