We analyzed over 20,000 strategic plans. Get a copy of the full report.
A KPI is a measure you track over time against a target; an OKR is a time-bound goal with measurable key results. Most organizations need a handful of each, not hundreds. The median US city on ClearPoint tracks 394 KPIs, and 67% of KPIs on the platform have no owner. Ownership changes the result: in local government, an owner roughly doubles the odds a KPI is on track (29% vs 15%). Track fewer measures and name an owner for each.
200+ KPI examples by function and industry, each with a definition, formula, and worked example — plus ClearPoint data on which KPIs get owned and completed.
%2520OKRs%2520vs%2520KPIs%2520Breaking%2520Down%2520the%2520Difference.jpg)
The Washington Department of Licensing used ClearPoint to change their strategy to be Person-Centered in order to better serve their residents.
Read the story
VP Thomas Lunney discusses how FNCB's automated reporting processes allow the bank to react to challenges in a dynamic, inflationary environment.
Read the story
Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), a department within the City of Austin, TX, is committed to providing its citizens with the highest quality services. To help meet that goal, they use performance measure data.
Read the storyA KPI is a measure you track over time against a target; an OKR is a time-bound goal with measurable key results. Most organizations need a handful of each, not hundreds. The median US city on ClearPoint tracks 394 KPIs, and 67% of KPIs on the platform have no owner. Ownership changes the result: in local government, an owner roughly doubles the odds a KPI is on track (29% vs 15%). Track fewer measures and name an owner for each.
Most teams should track 5–9. For a whole strategic plan, ClearPoint data points to 9 to 11 measures, with a median of 9. Cities with focused portfolios attach 2.0 KPIs to each objective; those tracking 1,000+ KPIs attach 6.3, without more to show for it.
An OKR is a time-bound goal with measurable key results. A KPI is an ongoing measure with a target or range to hold. A KPI can serve as a key result for one cycle when you decide to move it on purpose, then go back to routine monitoring.
A lagging KPI reports the result after the fact, such as revenue or resident satisfaction. A leading KPI is an early signal you can still act on, such as pipeline or response time. Pair every lagging KPI with a leading one, and give each a single named owner.
Mostly because nobody keeps the numbers updated. 67% of KPIs on ClearPoint have no owner, and in local government an owner roughly doubles the odds a KPI is on track (29% vs 15%). Fix ownership before adding measures.
Yes, with changes. Pure tech-company OKRs tend to stall in government; most cities, counties and state agencies run a hybrid of OKRs and a balanced scorecard, and tie OKR cycles to the budget rather than the calendar quarter.
One strong KPI from each of five categories: service delivery, financial stewardship, operational efficiency, community outcomes and workforce capacity. The median US city on ClearPoint already tracks 394 KPIs, so the work is usually cutting, not adding.
.svg){kind=icon}
