Finding new and innovative approaches to the work that we do is part of our DNA at Authority Partners. In this blog we explore how our product management strategy focuses on objective and key results (OKRs) that add value and build upon our existing program/project-based approach. We believe that implementing these two processes together will maximize our ability to develop world-class technological solutions for our clients and partners.  

As consultants who create world class IT solutions for our clients, our approach to measuring the effectiveness of what we create, design, develop, test, prototype or lead involves tried and tested, time-boxed metrics measured on an annual, quarterly, monthly or daily basis for any given program and its project(s).  

These key performance indicators (KPIs) are program, project and engineering methodologies we employ in our industry to measure the return on investments in time, labor and technology, and the costs of generating specific outcomes in relation to work we perform for a client or for ourselves. 

KPIs are the gold standard metric used across different industries to establish effective performance in the areas that are the most critical for the current and future success of the organization. KPIs continue to be an integral part of the way we assess the quality and effectiveness of the programs and projects we manage. But what about products?  

OKRs and a Product Mindset 

With our 500+ team and our international presence, we have typically focused our attention on the program, project and team level. This is an integral part of our process, but given our large list of clients and the number of programs we have delivered over the years, a product mindset offers an additional value proposition that can generate positive outcomes internally as well as for our clients. That is out next step – the bigger picture.  

At Authority Partners, we’ve introduced the product mindset to think carefully about the kinds of products we are building for our clients. Are there overlaps? Do we end up recreating the same kind of product for different clients, multiple times over? Is there a way for us to generate synergies between these different variants and create a product that could go above and beyond, answering the issues and processes that clients need addressed?  

Can we refine and combine some of the many IT products we’ve developed for clients over the years to bring a unique Authority Partners solution that answers the needs of a much larger group of users in and out of our key domains? 

By offering a broader and longer-term vision to the different types of IT products that our engineers, architects and consultants create for our clients and partners, we believe that on top of that the product mindset increases the value of already world-class products. Objectives and key results (OKRs) let us position our program-based work within a framework of strategic objectives and goals. In turn, that helps us fine tune and focus our expertise, cultivate a sense of continuity among our in-house experts and generate a sense of pride in the cutting-edge IT products we continue to deliver. 

The OKR approach is attributed to Andrew Grove, a former CEO at Intel, who led the company to become the largest semi-conductor manufacturer in the world. Sergei Brin of Google also credits the OKR framework for his company’s phenomenal success.  

At Authority Partners, while KPIs help ensure that the right steps are taken towards completing, managing and reporting about a program, OKRs provide a better way to understand programs and projects through the lens of our long-term goals and objectives. 

OKRs provide us with a next-level assessment that lets us look beyond what is currently happening at the project level. Instead of offering insights into the specific attributes of a program or project, OKRs provide an analytical framework that offers insights into the value of a program or project in relation to our history of product development and product functionality.  

We believe that by using OKRs alongside KPIs, we are able to provide to our clients and partners a level of insight and value that goes beyond any specific project we may be delivering. A product mindset and OKRs help us improve processes and develop more innovative solutions.  

So, to answer the question: First KPIs, and then OKRs. Right? The simple answer is YES.  

Authority Partners is a US-based international IT consultancy and service provider. With consultants around the world, we are able to offer expert solutions and a level of technological excellence that sets us apart. To our clients we are partners who deliver business outcomes. 

We are Authority Partners.  

To learn more about how we can help your business, please reach out to us here or via email at hello@authoritypartners.com 

Meta Data Description 

At Authority Partners we use objective and key results (OKRs) as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) to maximize our ability to develop world class technological solutions for our clients and partners.