How to track initiatives?

[Martina Schütz]

I would like to map my OKR system. With the introduction of Success Measures, I understand how to present and track Key Results, but not how to do this with the initiatives that fall under a KR.

In one of your articles, you write that objectives and initiatives are created as goals. But how do I do this if I cannot assign the goals to any success measures?
Then all initiatives would be assigned as subgoals under the objective but not to the corresponding KR.
In addition, we would like to measure the progress of the initiatives.

[Iryna Komarnitska_SaaSJet_]

Hi @Martina Schütz ,

At SaaSJet, we also use the OKR methodology.

Here’s how it works:

1. We define the OKRs.

2. We set quantitative Key Results (how we’ll measure success).

3. We link Jira work items to those OKRs—so completing the work moves us closer to achieving the results.

From there, we can generate reports based on time in status, sprint metrics, and more.

Our reporting app, Time in Status, helps us do that.

In the articles below, we explain the reporting approach and key nuances in more detail:

Managing OKRs in Jira Using Time in Status

🏅 Tracking OKRs in Jira Using Time in Status for Jira

Hope you find this useful!

[Prasanna Ravichandran]

This is a common confusion when mapping OKRs with Success Measures. Even my organization also started transitioning this and we are still in transition phase but just sharing my suggestions below.

# How to Structure Objectives, KRs, and Initiatives

**1) Objective = Parent Goal**
Create your Objective as the main goal.

**2) Key Results = Success Measures**
Attach each KR as a Success Measure to the Objective.
This is where you track outcomes (metrics), not activities.

**3) Initiatives = Supporting Work (Not Success Measures)**
Initiatives are actions/projects that help achieve a KR, so they should **not** be modeled as Success Measures.

Instead, you can:

* Create initiatives as sub-goals under the Objective, OR
* Track them as projects/issues (e.g., in Jira) and link them to the KR or Objective

**4) How to Track Initiative Progress**

Common practical options:

 Track progress via linked Jira epics/projects
 Use checklists or milestones inside the initiative goal
Update the parent Objective/KR manually based on initiative progress
Use roll-up progress if your tool supports it

# Key Idea

**Success Measures track outcomes (KRs)**
**Initiatives track execution (work being done)**

You typically don’t assign initiatives directly to Success Measures.