Quarterly board meetings aren’t just routine check-ins — they’re important opportunities to prove progress, align on strategy, and build investor confidence.
Done right, they turn raw results into a compelling story of execution and impact. OKRs give you the perfect framework for this: structured, transparent, and tied directly to measurable outcomes.
This workflow walks you step by step through preparing board-ready OKR reports that cut through the noise, highlight what matters most, and equip your board to make smart, strategic decisions.
Step 1 – Confirm the Reporting Requirements
Objective: Understand what the board expects to see.
- Align with your board chair or lead investor on format and focus.
- Identify the top 3–5 business outcomes they care about (e.g., revenue, growth, retention).
- Clarify the cadence: most boards want quarterly updates tied to OKRs.
- Decide if the update will be delivered via slides, a memo, or both.
Helpful resources:
Step 2 – Collect OKR Progress Data
Objective: Gather accurate, up-to-date results from the quarter.
- Pull company- and team-level Key Result data from your OKR platform.
- Verify numbers against financial and operational reports.
- Track progress using Red/Yellow/Green status for clarity.
- Identify standout wins and critical misses.
Helpful resource:
Step 3 – Create the Narrative
Objective: Turn data into a clear, compelling story.
- Start with headline results at the company level.
- Layer in department contributions that drove those results.
- Explain misses candidly, with root causes identified.
- Conclude with priorities for the next quarter.
Helpful resources:
Step 4 – Highlight Strategic Insights
Objective: Give the board perspective, not just data.
- Share key trends (customer, market, operational).
- Call out risks and mitigation plans.
- Show how OKRs connect to the long-term strategy.
- Flag areas where board input or decisions are needed.
Step 5 – Package the Report
Objective: Deliver updates in a board-ready format.
- Keep slides concise (10–15 max), focusing on outcomes.
- Use charts and visuals to highlight KR progress.
- Include an appendix for detailed data if needed.
- Ensure formatting is professional and consistent.
Helpful resource:
Step 6 – Share in Advance
Objective: Give board members time to digest the report.
- Distribute the report at least 48–72 hours before the meeting.
- Provide a short executive summary with highlights.
- Invite board members to submit questions ahead of time.
- Prepare responses in advance to make the meeting more strategic.
Helpful resources:
Step 7 – Present and Discuss
Objective: Use the meeting for dialogue, not just reporting.
- Lead with company-level OKRs and outcomes.
- Encourage discussion on risks, challenges, and opportunities.
- Ask for board input on strategic trade-offs.
- Keep the focus on where decisions are needed.
Helpful resources:
Step 8 – Capture Outcomes and Follow Up
Objective: Ensure board feedback turns into action.
- Record board questions, guidance, and decisions.
- Share a post-meeting recap with action items.
- Assign owners for each follow-up.
- Feed key takeaways into the next OKR planning cycle.
Helpful resources:
Pro Tips for Board Reporting
- Focus on impact, not activity — boards care about outcomes.
- Be transparent — hiding misses undermines credibility.
- Keep reports consistent in format cycle to cycle.
- Leave room in the agenda for discussion, not just updates.
The Bottom Line
Board reporting is more than a compliance exercise — it’s an opportunity to show strategic execution. By grounding updates in OKRs, you can demonstrate progress, highlight risks, and ensure your board is aligned and confident in the company’s direction.
3 Resources you’ll love:
