OKR Fundamentals

What is OKR Software?

OKR software helps teams set, track, and achieve goals using the Objectives and Key Results framework. Here's everything you need to know.

OKR Software: Definition

OKR software is a category of tools that help organizations implement the Objectives and Key Results goal-setting methodology. It provides a structured way to:

  • Set objectives — qualitative goals describing what you want to achieve
  • Define key results — measurable outcomes that indicate success
  • Track progress — update and visualize goal completion over time
  • Align teams — connect individual, team, and company-level goals

Example OKR:
Objective: Become the go-to OKR tool for European startups
Key Result 1: Reach 500 active teams
Key Result 2: Achieve 4.5+ rating on G2
Key Result 3: 50% of signups from word-of-mouth

What Does OKR Software Do?

Most OKR tools include these core features:

Goal Setting

Create objectives (what you want to achieve) and key results (how you'll measure success).

Alignment

Connect team goals to company objectives so everyone pulls in the same direction.

Progress Tracking

Update key results regularly to see if you're on track, at risk, or behind.

Check-ins

Weekly or bi-weekly updates where team members share progress and blockers.

Reporting

Dashboards and reports showing goal progress across teams and individuals.

Collaboration

Comments, mentions, and shared visibility to keep everyone informed.

Two Types of OKR Software

Not all OKR tools work the same way. Understanding this distinction will help you choose the right one:

Tracking Tools
Focus on recording and reporting progress

Most OKR software falls into this category. You set goals, update percentages, and view dashboards. The tool is a record-keeper.

Examples: Quantive, Perdoo, Lattice

Planning Tools
Focus on deciding what to work on

A newer category that connects OKRs to weekly work. Instead of just tracking, these tools help you plan initiatives and prioritize tasks.

Examples: Loach, Tability

AspectTracking ToolsPlanning Tools
Primary focusRecording progress percentagesDeciding what to work on next
Main viewDashboard with metricsWeekly/sprint planning board
Update frequencyWhen you rememberBuilt into weekly workflow
Best forReporting to leadershipTeam execution
RiskBecomes a chore people ignoreRequires weekly discipline

Do You Actually Need OKR Software?

You DO need OKR software when...
  • Your team is 10+ people and alignment is getting hard
  • Goals get forgotten mid-quarter
  • You're using spreadsheets but they're becoming a mess
  • Teams don't know how their work connects to company goals
  • Weekly priorities shift without connecting to OKRs
You DON'T need OKR software when...
  • You're a team of 3-5—a spreadsheet is fine
  • You don't actually use OKRs (software won't fix that)
  • You just want a task manager (use Asana, Linear, etc.)
  • You're not willing to update it weekly
  • Leadership doesn't care about goals

What OKR Software Looks Like

Here's an example from Loach—a planning-focused OKR tool:

OKR software dashboard example showing objectives and key results

A typical OKR dashboard shows objectives, key results, progress bars, and team alignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Try OKR Software?

Loach is OKR software built for startups—simple, affordable, and focused on planning, not just tracking.