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Technology Industries of Finland harnessed Viva Goals to guide their OKR activities

23.10.2024

The Technology Industries of Finland has successfully improved goal setting and transparency by introducing the OKR model and Viva Goals.

In recent years, the Technology Industries of Finland association has experienced a significant change in moving towards using the OKR model (Objectives and Key Results). The goal of the extensive change process has been to improve the clarity and transparency of the organization’s goals.

In 2023, the association adopted Microsoft’s Viva Goals platform, which significantly simplified the implementation and monitoring of the OKR model.

Agility and concreteness to operations with the OKR model

The OKR model was introduced in 2020 when the Technology Industries of Finland decided to improve its operations to be more goal-oriented and transparent. The goal was to clarify the organization’s goals and measure their achievement systematically and traceably.

The OKR model was used to combine long-term strategic goals and daily operations. By implementing the model, the organization was able to ensure that all employees were working towards common goals.

“Of course, we have huge, social, and change-oriented goals in our efforts to influence decision-makers and politicians, so making the action plans seemed like a rather detached effort overall,” says member service manager Tarja Ihalainen, who was at the center of the introduction of the OKR model.

The OKR model brought agility and concreteness, helping the organization focus on the essentials. Determining objectives and key results provided personnel with clear guidelines and metrics to assess their progress.

Teknologiateollisuus Ihalainen Tarja by Jukka Rapo
Tarja Ihalainen, member service manager of the Technology Industries of Finland © Jukka Rapo

Visualization for the OKR model with Viva Goals

In 2023, the association switched to the Viva Goals platform, which replaced the previously used PowerPoint template. “The tool was a natural choice because we use Microsoft software anyway,” commented Ihalainen.

Viva Goals made following and visualizing the OKR model significantly easier and more intuitive.

The platform was introduced in stages, and first, a few pilot teams used the tool in a trial. During the pilot trials, management learned how the platform works and how it can be used more efficiently.

With Viva Goals, teams and individuals can now clearly see how their work relates to the organization’s broader goals. Using the tool has increased motivation and commitment, as employees better understand the meaning and impact of their work.

Results with transparent operation

Transparency has been a key factor in the introduction of the OKR model. The freedom given to the teams to choose the most suitable way of working has also helped change the work according to the OKR model. The move to the OKR model was made by following three principles:

  • The whole organization stops together every tertile to see where they are going in relation to the goals. This enables continuous evaluation of the progress of the goals and making the necessary changes in time.
  • Personal goal discussions moved to joint OKR discussions, which increased teamwork and mutual understanding of goals.
  • Operations were made truly transparent, as the OKRs of each team and individual are visible to everyone.

“Transparency has helped us monitor progress and ensure that all employees are aware of common goals,” says Tarja. Transparency at the organizational level creates trust and increases common understanding of the organization’s direction.

Towards success with perseverance and the principle of continuous improvement

The Technology Industries of Finland association’s journey in implementing the OKR model and Viva Goals has been a significant change process. Despite the challenges, the organization has succeeded in improving the goal-orientation and transparency of operations.

“The most important thing is to have the courage to tell if you don’t understand and to ask for help,” Ihalainen emphasizes.

Continuous learning and perseverance have played a vital role in the organization’s success.

“Persistence and going in the direction of this OKR thinking and accepting that this is continuous improvement are important in this kind of change, when people have to start thinking about those things and act differently,” sums up Tarja.

The Technology Industries of Finland’s transition to using Viva Goals has helped the organization achieve greater clarity and transparency in setting and tracking goals. This change has increased employee motivation and commitment and has been a key factor in the organization’s success.

Read the entire article about the cooperation between the Technology Industries of Finland and Solu Digital here.

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