Without regular check-ins, OKRs drift off track — progress becomes invisible, blockers pile up, and teams lose sight of how their work connects to company goals.
Weekly check-ins are the heartbeat of successful OKR execution. They keep progress visible, surface issues early, and keep everyone aligned. This workflow gives you a repeatable structure for running efficient, motivating check-ins — without turning them into yet another status meeting.
Step 1 – Set the Cadence
Objective: Choose a rhythm that balances accountability with efficiency.
- Default to weekly check-ins; bi-weekly may work for smaller teams.
- Keep meetings short — 20–30 minutes max.
- Pick a consistent day and time so it becomes routine.
- Align the cadence with your reporting cycles (e.g., sync with quarterly OKRs).
Helpful resource:
Step 2 – Define the Agenda
Objective: Make check-ins structured, predictable, and results-oriented.
A proven agenda format:
- Progress on Key Results – each owner shares updates.
- Red/Yellow/Green Status – quick color-coding for clarity.
- Blockers & Risks – issues needing support or escalation.
- Next Week’s Focus – top priorities aligned to OKRs.
- Shoutouts & Wins – celebrate small victories.
Helpful resource:
Step 3 – Use a Consistent Template
Objective: Standardize updates so they’re quick to prepare and easy to digest.
- Provide each team member with a one-page check-in template.
- Include space for:
- KR progress (% complete)
- Confidence rating (High/Medium/Low)
- Blockers or dependencies
- Next steps
- KR progress (% complete)
- Encourage pre-meeting completion to save live time.
Helpful resource:
Step 4 – Facilitate with Discipline
Objective: Keep the meeting short, focused, and valuable.
- Assign a facilitator (usually the manager).
- Timebox updates — 2–3 minutes per person.
- Redirect tangents to follow-ups outside the meeting.
- Keep the discussion focused on progress against OKRs, not task lists.
Helpful resource:
Step 5 – Document & Share Outcomes
Objective: Create visibility and accountability beyond the meeting.
- Capture a short written recap after each check-in.
- Share updates in your OKR software, Slack channel, or shared doc.
- Highlight blockers that require leadership action.
- Keep a running log to spot trends across weeks.
Step 6 – Reinforce Culture Through Check-Ins
Objective: Make weekly check-ins a motivator, not a chore.
- Open with wins and positive momentum.
- Rotate facilitation to build shared ownership.
- Use check-ins to celebrate progress, not just flag problems.
- Connect weekly work back to quarterly and annual goals.
Helpful resource:
Pro Tips for Weekly Check-in Success
- Prep asynchronously: have team members fill in the template before the call.
- Use a dashboard to visualize progress instead of reading numbers aloud.
- Keep it tactical: if an issue requires >5 minutes, park it for later.
- Celebrate leading indicators (early signs of progress), not just final results.
The Bottom Line
Weekly check-ins are the glue between ambitious OKRs and day-to-day execution.
Follow this workflow to keep updates lean, ensure blockers don’t linger, and keep your team motivated and aligned week after week.
3 Resources you’ll love:
