OKR vs. KPI: What's the difference and how can you use them together?

Navigating the challenge of getting a toddler to eat a balanced meal is likened to the strategic use of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in business. While OKRs set ambitious, qualitative goals and outline measurable steps to achieve them, KPIs are ongoing metrics that track the performance of specific business activities. OKRs focus on aspirational objectives and are typically set quarterly to push beyond routine practices, while KPIs provide continuous insight into current performance, helping identify areas for improvement. The two concepts complement each other, with KPIs offering data to inform decisions and measure the success of OKRs, which in turn can refine and enhance KPI metrics. Automation can further enhance the process by streamlining data collection and workflow management, allowing businesses to focus more on strategy and less on manual data tracking.