Cascading Goals
What are Cascading Goals?
A traditional goal-setting method where top-level objectives flow downwards, strictly dictating the goals of the layers beneath them.
In a strict Cascade, the CEO sets 3 goals. The VP inherits the CEO's Key Results and turns them into their own Objectives. The Director then inherits the VP's Key Results, and so on... down to the intern.
While cascading ensures theoretical alignment, it is extremely slow. Modern fast-moving 'Agile' companies prefer bi-directional alignment: leadership sets the top-level Objective, but frontline teams are trusted to write their own OKRs detailing exactly how they plan to support those top-level aims.
While cascading ensures theoretical alignment, it is extremely slow. Modern fast-moving 'Agile' companies prefer bi-directional alignment: leadership sets the top-level Objective, but frontline teams are trusted to write their own OKRs detailing exactly how they plan to support those top-level aims.
Strict Cascade (Slow)
Waiting 3 weeks for executive, VP, and Director OKRs to finalize before a junior developer is allowed to write their goals.
Agile Alignment (Fast)
The CEO announces 'We must become profitable'. Frontline teams immediately draft their own OKRs figuring out how they can cut costs or drive revenue.
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