📚 Book Review: Measure What Matters by John Doerr 👎
How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs
A warning: This is the most poorly written book that I have read or that I can remember reading recently. I think the author wrote and edited it himself with no help or feedback, probably reflecting the arrogant culture of Silicon Valley VCs, of which John Doerr is one of the most well know.
However, the system described in this book — OKRs (Objective and Key Results) — is a valuable tool. Reading the examples from Google, the Gate foundation, and other organizations provide an excellent guide on how to implement this relatively simple concept.
However, I don’t know if the book (or reading through it) is worth it just for those of you who are new to the concept. Fortunately, Doerr has an excellent web site, What Matters (https://www.whatmatters.com/) that contains a lot of great examples, videos, and downloadable resources. I’d recommend starting there and checking out the book from a library if you want to dig a little deeper into the details (not worth buying).
BTW, I am currently working on my OKRs for the coming year(s), and quarter. Let me know if you want to chat about OKRs or compare notes on how to use OKRs in your professional or personal life.
Amazon Link: click here
J. Scott Christianson is a technologist and an Associate Teaching Professor of management at the Trulaske College of Business, where his interests are focused on the impact of technology on society. You can connect with him on his website, LinkedIn, Twitter, or by following his newsletter, The Free-Range Technologist.
