ClickUp goals and OKRs how-to guide

ClickUp lets you turn strategy into action by connecting high-level goals and OKRs directly to the work your team does every day. This guide explains how to set up, track, and manage goals so everyone stays aligned and accountable.

How ClickUp organizes goals and OKRs

In ClickUp, goals provide a flexible structure for individual, team, or company priorities. Each goal is made up of targets called key results, which you update as work progresses.

You can use this structure to manage simple personal goals or full OKR programs for multiple teams and departments.

Key parts of a ClickUp goal

Goal: The main outcome you want to achieve within a specific time frame.
Owner: The person responsible for maintaining and updating the goal.
Due date: The deadline or time window for completion.
Key results: Measurable targets or milestones that indicate progress toward the goal.
Workspace context: Goals are visible in the Goals area and can be connected to tasks and other work.

Plan your goals and OKRs in ClickUp

Before you create any items, plan how goals will be used across your Workspace. This helps keep your structure clear and easy to manage.

Decide how to structure ClickUp goals

Use these planning steps to organize your approach:

Clarify your timeframe. Decide whether you use quarterly OKRs, annual goals, project-based goals, or a mix.
Select goal levels. Define whether goals live at company, department, team, or individual levels.
Standardize naming. Agree on naming patterns so goals and key results are easy to scan and search.
Connect goals to work. Decide how you will map goals to Spaces, Folders, and Lists.
Document expectations. Publish a quick internal process so everyone sets and updates goals consistently.

Common ways to use ClickUp for OKRs

Company-level strategic OKRs that guide all teams.
Department goals for functions like marketing, sales, or product.
Team initiatives for sprints, launches, or cross-functional projects.
Personal development goals linked to performance cycles.

Create a new ClickUp goal

Once your structure is clear, you can create your first objective in just a few steps.

Step-by-step: create a ClickUp goal

Open the Goals area from your Workspace navigation.
Click the option to create a new goal.
Enter a clear, outcome-focused goal name.
Add a description so contributors understand the intent and scope.
Set a start date and due date that match your planning cycle.
Assign an owner who will be responsible for updates.
Choose who can view and edit the goal with permissions or sharing options.
Save the goal, then add key results to define how you will measure success.

Define key results inside ClickUp goals

Key results translate each goal into measurable targets. In ClickUp, they are the units you update to show progress.

Types of ClickUp key results

Depending on the nature of your work, you can track different kinds of targets:

Number-based targets: Ideal for metrics like revenue, signups, tickets resolved, or NPS.
True/false or milestone targets: Best for binary outcomes like completing a launch or publishing a report.
Percentage-based targets: Useful when you track completion progress toward a defined end state.
Task-based targets: Progress is calculated automatically based on linked tasks or task statuses.

Best practices for ClickUp key results

Use specific numbers or clear completion criteria.
Limit the number of key results per goal so focus remains tight.
Align each key result with a single owner when possible.
Keep naming consistent so reports and dashboards stay readable.

Connect ClickUp goals to tasks and work

Linking goals to day‑to‑day tasks ensures that progress updates are meaningful and traceable.

Ways to connect work to ClickUp goals

Attach tasks or Lists to a task-based key result so completions roll up into progress.
Use custom fields to mirror metrics you track in your goals.
Organize Spaces, Folders, and Lists to reflect the major goal areas or departments.

As work is completed, you can update metrics directly in the goal or allow task-based key results to calculate progress automatically.

Track progress on ClickUp goals and OKRs

Monitoring goals regularly helps teams stay accountable and adjust quickly when priorities change.

Use ClickUp views for goal reviews

You can track and review performance using different goal views and Workspace tools:

Review all goals in the main Goals view to see owners, dates, and progress.
Sort or filter by owner, team, or status to prepare for check-in meetings.
Open each goal to see key result details and recent updates.

Run recurring ClickUp check-ins

To keep your OKRs relevant, schedule regular review routines:

Set weekly or biweekly meetings focused on goals and key results.
Before each meeting, update the metrics and notes inside the goal.
Identify blockers and adjust scope or priority where needed.
Capture decisions as comments or descriptions within the goal.

Improve your ClickUp goals over time

After each cycle, refine how you use the platform based on what worked and what did not.

Optimize your ClickUp goal process

Archive or close completed goals so the Goals view stays clean.
Use consistent templates when you create new goals and key results.
Align goals more closely with Spaces and Folders if you see gaps.
Document learnings to improve the next planning cycle.

Additional ClickUp resources

For more detailed feature explanations and examples, refer to the official help content for goals and OKRs. You can explore it here: ClickUp for goals and OKRs.

If you want expert help designing a scalable goal and OKR framework around your Workspace, you can also consult specialists at Consultevo.

By planning your structure, defining clear key results, and connecting them directly to tasks, you can use ClickUp to manage goals and OKRs that keep every team aligned from strategy through delivery.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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