What are OKRs?
OKR stands for objectives and key results. It’s a goal-setting methodology designed to push your team toward your biggest goals and help you monitor your progress in reaching them.
Humor us while we give you a quick history lesson. The origin of OKRs is rooted in the “Management By Objectives” system that was founded by consultant and author, Peter Drucker.
Andrew Grove, the former CEO of Intel, then took the system and put it into a simpler form that answered two core questions:
- Where do I want to go?
- How will I pace myself to get there?
Having absorbed a lot of knowledge from Grove, an investor and venture capitalist named John Doerr presented this system to the co-founders of Google, who are frequently credited with popularizing OKRs. Since then, they’ve become commonplace in a lot of organizations – both small and large.
Where do I want to go?
How will I pace myself to get there?
So, what’s an objective?
As the name indicates, OKRs are split into two main pieces: objectives and key results. Let’s talk about the objectives piece first.
To keep this simple, think of the objective as the goal that you’re setting.
With your team, you’ll brainstorm objectives by asking, “What are the most important needles we need to move this quarter?” Yep, that’s a clue: OKRs are typically set on a quarterly basis.
Keep in mind that objectives should be high-level, qualitative statements that are aspirational – not tasks or granular outcomes.
EXAMPLE OBJECTIVE: Launch a new employee portal by the end of the quarter.
And what about key results?
OKRs themselves might not be inherently measurable. That’s the job of your key results, measurable outcomes that indicate you’ve achieved your objective.
Don’t make the mistake of confusing key results with tasks and to-dos. This is about identifying outcomes, not things for your team to get done. So, make sure you’re that you’re always pointing back to a measurable result.
EXAMPLE KEY RESULT: Shipping the portal increases employee feedback scores by 25%.
Why use OKRs?
This isn’t a popularity contest. But, if it were, OKRs would be winning. You may have heard that tons of big-name companies – including Google, Netflix, Ahnheuser-Busch, Adobe, Samsung, and even us at Atlassian – use them for goal-setting.
But, if name-dropping isn’t enough to convince you, there are plenty of other reasons to use OKRs, including:
- Greater alignment: Everyone is on the same page about goals and success indicators
- Improved flexibility: Since OKRs are set quarterly, those shorter goal cycles allow more wiggle room
- Boosted accountability: Everybody knows exactly how success will be measured and who is responsible for making it happen
- Increased focus: OKRs are thoughtful and well-defined, which boosts focus on the goals that really matter
With those awesome perks, it’s easy to see why OKRs are beloved by so many successful and rapidly growing organizations.
How do you set OKRs?
You want to join the ranks of those teams and companies who are relentlessly pursuing their goals (because who wouldn’t?). Here’s how to go about it.
Start by pulling together a brainstorming session with your team to identify what you most want to achieve.
There’s probably going to be tons of ideas flying around, and likely some debate, about what your objectives should be. This is an instance where the more isn’t the merrier. We recommend distilling them down to no more than three to five objectives for the quarter. You’ll also want no more than three key results assigned to each objective so you don’t add confusion.
Also, keep in mind that OKRs are a better fit for loftier, longer-term goals. You’re not going to use this system to tackle one task on your daily to-do list or a team project that’s wrapping up tomorrow. That’d be way too cumbersome.
With those nuts and bolts in place, let’s briefly walk through the steps you and your team will follow to set OKRs.
Step #1: Share the basics
If this is your first time using OKRs, a lot of this is going to be new to you and to your team members. Save some time at the start to teach your team about the process and terminology so that they’re able to constructively add to the conversation.
Step #2: Set your objectives
Now that everybody’s familiar with the basics, ask the team to brainstorm what big rocks you need to move in the quarter. (Try mind mapping!) Give everyone some time to write their ideas on sticky notes and stick them at the front of the room. When that’s done, group similar ideas together and have an open conversation to refine ideas and land on three to five objectives that are most worth focusing on right now.
EXAMPLE OBJECTIVE: Create infographics for all blog posts.
Step #3: Identify your key results
You have your objectives, so now it’s time for the team to think about what results you would see and measure if you actually reached that goal. Those should be your key results. Remember, you don’t want more than three for each objective.
EXAMPLE KEY RESULT #1: Infographics improve the user’s time spent on page by 10%.
EXAMPLE KEY RESULT #2: Infographics are pinned on Pinterest at least 100 times each.
Step #4: Check yourself
The groundwork is done, so now it’s time for a gut check. Look at the objectives and key results you’ve come up with. Are they unrealistic? Or are they too easy? Do you have too many? Or not enough? This is your chance to make some changes before finalizing those.
Step #5: Schedule your monthly checkpoints
Like any other goal-setting method, OKRs aren’t set it and forget it. You should be meeting with your team monthly to check in on how you’re tracking toward your objective by giving each key result a predicted end-of-quarter score. OKRs are scored on a sliding scale between 0 and 1 that indicates whether you missed, came close to, or hit your target for the key result. So, for example, if you’ve only improved the user’s average time spent on a single blog post by 3%, you’d score that key result at a 0.3.
How do you stick to your OKRs?
Whew! Your OKRs are set. The hard work is over, right? Not quite. Now you and your team actually need to stick to them.
Here’s where that magic genie would really come in handy…
But just in case he’s a no-show, here are a few strategies you can use to increase buy-in and commitment to those goals:
Need Information or Confused about Something ?
Ask a Question- Involve your team in the process: If the above steps didn’t clue you in, setting your OKRs should be a collaborative process with your team. These goals shouldn’t be handed down from on high.
- Assign owners: Every key result should be assigned an owner, so that everybody knows who’s responsible for what. It adds clarity, while also boosting accountability.
- Don’t skip your check-in sessions: Things get busy, and you’d rather spend time working toward those goals than checking in on them. Resist that temptation! Those check-in sessions are important for proactively swerving around problems and monitoring your progress.
- Be patient: Your OKRs might not be perfect the first time. The good news is that you’ll set them quarterly, so you’ll refine the process before too long.
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
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Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
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Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
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Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.