OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) and Performance Evaluation, how are they different or is it the same? The most frequently asked question. But before we understand, let us understand the two different tools separately. 

What is OKR (Objectives & Key Results)?

Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is a goal-setting framework that helps organizations to measure their strategy execution. Ideas are easy, while execution is harder. Hence, organizations need to have a great framework that helps them in executing their strategy. Corporate objectives are the north star that guides the teams and individuals. Objectives help us to define the destination and the Key Results help us to reach the destination.

What is a performance review? 

Performance Evaluation measures the outcome of an organization, department, and individuals on goal achievement. It is a practice to link the performance of an individual to the compensation revision and bonus. This also lets a manager evaluate an individual’s performance and the skills and competencies required for the role that they play

“Good performance accountability is about having a positive conversation between manager and employee. A manager is a coach and communicator, not command and controller.”

                                                                                                    –Dave Ulrich

What is the relationship between OKRs and performance evaluation? 

Let us understand this in detail as most people confuse these two. Both the tools help you to measure the individual outcomes as well as the team outcome. They both promote employee engagement and empowerment. The constant performance conversations around the OKRs are the inputs for the performance review. Both work well together as the individual involved in the outcome are the same; hence, the performance is data-driven and transparent. 

Should OKRs be linked to performance? 

OKRs can be an input for a performance review, either linked or not linked. But that cannot be the only factor to determine an individual performance. OKRs allow regular check-in and retrospective meetings. This helps the team to understand the progress and measure where we are progressing at any given time. This conversation and the discussion around OKRs help in facilitating the performance feedback and analyzing the gap for the given role 

Why should you separate OKRs and Performance Reviews? 

As OKRs and Performance Management are linked to an employee, naturally, managers or organizations might want to see them together. But it would be the best practice to keep OKRs as input during performance reviews as they might not work well together as performance management is linked to compensation.  

What are the disadvantages while linking OKRs to compensation? 

While OKRs are linked to compensation then it will make employees set sandbagging OKRs, that is OKRs that are achievable easily. They tend to set the bar low so that it can be achieved.  

While OKRs can be ambitious, they tend to change if they are not delivering the expected results. So, in this unpredictable case, it is not advisable to link performance to it, which will eventually demotivate teams and individuals. 

It can so happen that, at times the achievements are more overrated than actual, this will result in bias and ambiguity. Since Performance review benefits individuals there might be a lack of collaboration among the teams while delivering OKRs 

For example; If an R & D person wants to set an OKR to achieve the organizational objectives, then she/he would set is aspirational. Being an aspirational objective, She/he may not be able to achieve 100%. If this is linked to his performance, then she/he will score less. Also, he will not be motivated enough to set aspirational goals. 

How to embed OKRs with your performance management? 

OKRs can be reviewed together with certain guidelines. Keep performance and OKRs as a separate process and plan, track, and measure separately. As  

Keeping OKRs as input to Performance reviews will help in understanding what is the outcome of individual OKRs and team OKRs, to have clarity on the employee aspirations and output.  

We honestly believe that OKRs should be accounted for while doing performance reviews. But it should not be the only source of decision-making. There are other skills and competencies, Values that we need to evaluate during Performance, and you can make a collective decision. 

Review OKR-related factors during the review process on 

  • How the goals were challenging 
  • The Importance of the goal 
  • How did their action on the OKRs translate to the team and organization 
  • How collaborative they contributed to the OKRs 
  • How it improved their prioritization. 

Conclusion: 

Looking at the benefits of OKRs and how agile it is it highly synergizes with continuous performance management and can be mutually beneficial if looked at together. It is incredibly important to keep compensation away while we are reviewing. Adding developmental goals to the performance reviews should also remain a separate discussion. With OKRs implemented in the organization then it would be the best starting point to launch continuous performance management.  

This can be highly supported while implementing OKR Software that motivates check-ins and nudges frequent discussion with the team. OKR Software can be of great advantage while implementing OKRs and continuous performance management together. Talk to our coaches today to start your free trial.

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In the realm of performance management and OKR tracking, Leapsome has emerged as a prominent player. However, organizations seeking efficient ways to streamline their OKR management in 2025 have started exploring alternative solutions. These Leapsome alternatives offer a range of features to help set, align, track, and analyze objectives and key results. In this article, we will delve into the top 7 Leapsome alternatives that can revolutionize performance management and drive business success.

Understanding Leapsome: A Competitor in Performance Management

Before we explore the Leapsome competitors, let's take a closer look at Leapsome itself. Leapsome is an agile performance management platform designed to help organizations align, develop, and engage their employees. With goal setting, continuous feedback, performance reviews, and employee engagement surveys, Leapsome empowers managers and HR professionals to improve employee performance and drive business success. However, as the market evolves, it is essential to consider other options that better suit your organization's needs.

What is Leapsome

Leapsome is a people enablement platform designed to drive employee engagement, performance, and development. The platform offers a range of tools for managing performance, including an OKR management tool, performance review management, and competency frameworks. With Leapsome, organizations can align individual and team objectives with company goals, monitor progress over time, and provide continuous feedback to foster growth and skill development.

Key features of Leapsome include:

  • Performance Management: Set and track OKRs, conduct performance reviews, and utilize competency frameworks to monitor progress and improve performance.
  • Employee Engagement: Measure and improve engagement through pulse surveys, feedback collection, and recognition programs.
  • Learning and Development: Create personalized development plans, offer training resources, and track learning progress.

Leapsome's pricing is based on the number of employees, contract length, and chosen modules.

Top 7 Leapsome Alternatives

Performance management and goal-setting are critical aspects of driving success and growth within organizations. Leapsome, an established player in the market, offers a comprehensive platform for OKR management and performance reviews. However, there are several other alternatives worth considering that can streamline and enhance these processes. In this article, we will explore the top 7 alternatives to Leapsome for OKRs and performance reviews in 2025.

Datalligence.AI: Best Software for OKRs, KPIs, & Performance

datalligence 2024

Datalligence is a dynamic project management and productivity platform crafted to enhance task management, collaboration, and goal tracking. Tailored for teams, it establishes a centralised workspace for efficient handling of tasks, projects, and processes within a unified environment. Datalligence's versatility enables users to organize work seamlessly, fostering effective communication and real-time collaboration. This platform integrates features for goal setting and tracking, providing a comprehensive solution for diverse industries. With its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, Datalligence empowers teams to enhance productivity and achieve project success in a streamlined and collaborative manner.

Key Features of Datalligence

Task and Project Management

Task & Initiative Tracking

  • Create tasks and projects with customizable fields.
  • Set due dates, priorities, and assignees for efficient task tracking.
  • Organize tasks using lists, boards, Kanban, and calendars.
Performance Tracking

Real-time performance Tracking

  • Track individual and team performance within the platform.
  • Monitor key metrics to assess productivity and project success.
360-Degree Feedback

360-degree feedback

  • Facilitate 360-degree feedback processes for team members.
  • Provide a holistic view of individual contributions and areas for improvement.
Goal and OKR Tracking

Real-time performance Tracking

  • Set and track organizational goals and key results (OKRs).
  • Visualize progress with goal-tracking features.

Historical Data View for Annual Reviews

  • Utilize the Historical Data View feature to conduct annual reviews and performance assessments.
  • Access and analyze past project data for comprehensive performance evaluations.
Reporting and Analytics
  • Generate reports to analyze project progress.
  • Visualize data with charts and graphs.

Collaboration and Communication

  • Comment on tasks and documents for seamless communication.
  • Real-time collaboration with mentions and notifications.
  • Integration with communication tools like Slack and email.

Document Management

  • Create and store documents within the platform.
  • Collaborate on documents in real-time.

Customization

  • Customize spaces, folders, and views to match your workflow.
  • Create custom statuses, tags, and priorities.

Integrations

  • Integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and tools.
  • API access for custom integrations.

Pros of Datalligence

  • Feature-rich platform with comprehensive project management tools.
  • Flexible and customizable to accommodate various team structures and workflows.
  • Robust integrations with popular third-party applications.
  • Regular updates and improvements based on user feedback.

Cons of Datalligence

  • The abundance of features may require time for users to explore and utilize fully.

Pricing of Datalligence

Datalligence provides flexible pricing options to suit various needs. They offer a free plan for basic use, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. For advanced features, task automation, and enhanced team collaboration, they offer a paid subscription starting at just $4 per user per month.

Datalligence-OKR-onboard

Profit.co: Streamline Goal Setting and Tracking

Profit.co is a goal management tool designed to streamline goal-setting and tracking processes. It enables teams to align their objectives and key results, track progress, and drive better performance. Key features of Profit.co's OKR management include:

  • Goal Setting and Alignment: Profit.co allows easy setup and alignment of objectives and key results across teams and departments.
  • Progress Tracking: Real-time tracking of key results provides quick insights and the ability to make timely adjustments.
  • Task Management: Create task boards and associate tasks with OKRs, enhancing collaboration and accountability.
  • Performance Management: Customizable performance review processes and frameworks help identify and nurture talent.
  • Employee Engagement: Set up pulse surveys and awards to measure employee engagement and foster a positive work environment.

Profit.co offers a free plan for teams new to OKRs, accommodating up to 5 users. Paid plans provide additional features such as OKR visibility, custom fields, weight assignment, and dashboards.

Culture Amp: Employee Management and Performance Reviews

CultureAmp

Culture Amp focuses on employee engagement, performance management, and development. It offers an OKR management module alongside other employee management features. Key features of Culture Amp's OKR management include:

  • Employee Feedback and Surveys: Conduct regular pulse surveys to gather feedback and gain insights into employee experience and satisfaction.
  • Employee Engagement Analytics: Measure engagement and retention rates, track changes over time, and identify areas for improvement.
  • Performance Management: Set OKRs, conduct one-on-one meetings, and run performance reviews and calibrations in one place.
  • Action Planning: Collaborate with teams to create action plans based on employee feedback and drive positive change.
  • Learning & Development: Provide personalized development plans, competency frameworks, and learning data to support talent growth.

Culture Amp offers various pricing modules, including performance management, employee development, and employee engagement, with customizable pricing options.

monday.com: Project Management with OKR Capabilities

monday

monday.com is a project management platform that can be used for OKR management. It offers a collaborative interface and customizable features, making it easy for teams to define and track their objectives and key results.

  • Goal Setting and Alignment: Create and align objectives and key results using an OKR board in monday.com. Assign team members to different objectives and key results to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Progress Tracking: Keep track of key results in real time, promoting transparency and timely adjustments. Use sub-items to break down key results into tasks for accurate tracking and assignment.
  • Data Visualization: Gain insights into team performance through customizable dashboards and reports, using charts, bars, and scorecards to present data.

monday.com supports various teamwork use cases, with pricing plans ranging from a free plan with limited features to paid plans with additional benefits such as unlimited seats and advanced reporting.

Datalligence-OKR-onboard

ClickUp: Collaboration and Project Management Tool with OKR Management

Clickup Home Page

ClickUp is a collaboration and project management tool suitable for teams of various sizes. It offers OKR management capabilities alongside other project management features. Key features of ClickUp for OKR management include:

  • Dedicated Space for OKRs: Teams can centralize goal management, OKRs, and progress tracking in ClickUp, organizing them into different folders based on regions, departments, or quarters.
  • Task Breakout and Assignment: Create tasks for each goal or OKR, assign responsible team members, and set due dates to align OKRs and track progress.
  • Progress Tracking: Real-time tracking of key results with customizable progress bars and other visualizations.
  • Integration with Communication Tools: View, share, and discuss OKRs in communication tools like Slack and Teams, with automated reminders as needed.

ClickUp offers flexible pricing plans, including a free plan with limited storage and paid plans with advanced reporting, unlimited storage, and integrations.

Lark: All-in-One Productivity App with Built-in OKR Module

Lark home page

Lark is an all-in-one productivity app for work that offers a comprehensive OKR module. With Lark, teams can easily create, align, track, and analyze OKRs across departments and collaborate effectively to achieve their goals. The key features of Lark's OKR management include:

  • OKR Creation, Alignment, and Tracking: Lark provides a user-friendly interface for creating detailed OKRs and establishing alignment through tagging and alignment setups. Team members can assign weights to key results, update progress, and add notes or comments.
  • OKR Ideation and Brainstorming: Lark Docs feature enables teams to centralize ideas and decisions around OKRs by adding notes, to-do lists, whiteboards, images, and videos.
  • Automation: Lark Messenger sends reminders for new alignments or tags in Lark OKR, ensuring the status remains up to date without the need for external integrations.
  • Transparency and Visibility: Colleagues' OKRs are directly accessible from their profile pages on Lark, promoting collaboration and providing opportunities for feedback and suggestions.
  • Easy Review and Discussion: OKRs can be inserted as blocks in Lark Docs, facilitating informed discussions during progress check-ins, weekly meetings, or project plans.

Quantive Results: Simplify OKR Tracking and Achievement

quantive

Quantive Results is an OKR management tool designed to simplify tracking and achievement of objectives and key results. It empowers teams to set up and align OKRs, track progress, and gain insights for better performance. Key features of Quantive Results include:

  • OKR Brainstorming: Collaborative whiteboard for team brainstorming with AI assistance for key results and task suggestions.
  • OKR Alignment and Cascading: Easy setup and alignment of objectives and key results across teams and departments.
  • Integration with Communication Tools: View, share, or discuss OKRs in communication tools like Slack and Teams, with automated reminders.
  • Progress Tracking and Insights: Real-time tracking of key results with dashboards for informed decision-making.

Quantive Results offers a user-friendly interface and customizable features to adapt to different team sizes and requirements.

Datalligence-OKR-onboard

Conclusion

While Leapsome has been a popular choice for OKR management and performance reviews, there are several alternatives available that can streamline goal management and performance evaluation processes in 2025. Whether you choose Lark, Datalligence, Profit.co, Culture Amp, monday.com, ClickUp, or Quantive Results, each alternative offers unique features and functionalities to help your organization achieve its goals and foster employee growth. Explore these Leapsome alternatives and find the one that best suits your needs and aligns with your company's vision for success.

At Datalligence.AI, we understand the importance of efficient goal management and performance evaluation. Our AI-powered platform offers advanced features for OKR management, performance reviews, and employee development. Learn more about our solutions and how we can help your organization succeed at datalligence.ai.

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