OKR Check-In Meetings

5 Questions to Ask OKR Owners

OKRs only create impact if they stay alive throughout the quarter. That’s why weekly confidence updates and at least one mid-quarter check-in with OKR owners are essential. An OKR Check-In is a short, structured conversation (schedule 20 minutes) that keeps progress visible, highlights risks early, and ensures everyone is focused on what matters most. But instead of slipping into long status updates, the secret is to ask the right questions. Here are five powerful ones to use with your OKR owners.

5 Questions to Ask OKR Owners in Check-In Meetings

Discuss Key Results with the following 5 questions to have beneficial OKR Ccheck-ins:

1. How far have you come? (What is the current actual value of the Key Result?)

2. What have you learned so far? (What is working well? Which assumptions were wrong? Are there issues that might turn into significant problems?)

3. How confident are you that you will achieve your Key Result — and why?

4. What are your next actions or initiatives to make progress on the Key Result?

5. What do you need — what can I do to increase your confidence?

Why These 5 Questions Work

By consistently asking these questions, leaders:

• Get clear, structured updates without wasting time
• Create a culture of accountability and learning
• Empower OKR owners to drive progress — with the right support

Bottom line: Check-ins are not about micromanaging. They’re about alignment, focus, and enabling success. The right questions turn OKRs from theory into a living management practice.

How Can an OKR Coach Help?