Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

In Measure What Matters, author John Doerr presents OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a powerful management tool for setting goals and measuring progress. Doerr, a seasoned venture capitalist and former Intel executive, explains how this method can drive alignment and performance in any organization.

He shares how companies like Google, Intel and other tech giants adopted OKRs to scale fast and stay focused. The book also includes inspiring stories of how non-profits such as the Gates Foundation and Bono’s ONE Campaign use OKRs to create social impact.

Why OKRs Work

The power of OKRs lies in their simplicity and clarity. By focusing on a few ambitious objectives and linking them to measurable outcomes, organizations avoid busywork and direct their energy toward what truly matters.

Transparency and alignment

Doerr stresses the value of open, shared goals. When OKRs are visible to all, teams align faster, and decision-making becomes easier. Everyone knows where the company is heading and how their work contributes to that mission.

Trackable progress and accountability

Each Key Result is specific and measurable. You always know if you’re moving in the right direction. This not only helps teams adapt quickly but also encourages a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

Key Insights from the Book

By offering practical advice, case studies, and inspiring anecdotes, Doerr urges readers to adopt OKRs as a potent instrument for strategic planning, execution, and continual enhancement. The book underscores the significance of transparency, focus, and measurability in pursuing ambitious objectives, while furnishing a framework for instilling a culture of result-oriented progress and expansion within organizations. The book features case studies showing how OKRs transformed organizations. Google, for example, implemented OKRs in its early days and still uses them to manage growth and innovation across teams.

Some standout lessons include:

• Integrating OKRs into agile workflows without adding red tape
• Setting ambitious yet achievable goals to inspire performance
• Focusing on frequent feedback and learning, not just planning

Practical Application for Product Teams

For product managers, scrum masters, and developers, Measure What Matters provides a framework that shifts focus from feature output to business outcomes. OKRs help teams prioritize based on value and align experimentation with strategic goals.

If you’re working with an external development team, shared OKRs can ensure everyone — internal and external — is focused on the same outcomes. It creates clarity and improves velocity without micromanagement.

OKRs in Digital Product Development

For tech companies building SaaS platforms or custom applications, OKRs provide a clear path from product vision to execution. They promote fast learning cycles, outcome-driven roadmaps, and better collaboration across roles.

At GlobalOrange, we often use OKRs to guide our development teams. Whether we’re building new apps or modernizing platforms, OKRs help us focus on delivering impact — not just features.