Key result: what it is and what it means

A key result is a measurable outcome indicator that, if reached, shows that the objective has been achieved. It must be an outcome indicator, not an activity indicator: an outcome describes an observable change in the outside world (in customer behavior, in process data, in the company's results); an activity describes what the organization does internally. Every key result requires three stated components: a starting value (baseline), a target value and an owner responsible for the measurement. Without a baseline, it is impossible to measure progress objectively.

Distinctive: outcome indicator
Distinctive: observable change in the outside world
Essential: starting value
Essential: target value
Essential: owner responsible for the measurement
Constant: not an activity indicator
Constant: if reached, shows that the objective has been achieved

Glossary

Key result

A measurable outcome indicator that, when reached, signals that the objective has been achieved; it requires a baseline, a target value and an owner responsible for the measurement.