OKRS Template

OKRs are designed to reach every level of an organization in any context (hybrid or not). They’re proven to align employees with an organization’s top priorities, help managers support their teams, and uncover critical workforce insights.

OKRs are a collaborative goal-setting tool used by teams and individual contributors to set challenging, ambitious goals. What makes OKRs different, and more powerful, is that the goals are designed to be measurable. In other words, OKRs allow you to track progress, create alignment, and encourage engagement all while tethered to measurable outcomes. OKRs apply to any type of company and to any role within an organization. They’re so versatile they can be used at the company-, team-, and individual-level. 

To break it down further, an Objective is what you’d like to achieve. An objective is concrete, action-oriented, and inspirational. A Key Result is a benchmark that guides how we accomplish the objective. Key results are measurable, verifiable, and are rooted in reality. They don’t offer room to mince words—you either meet a key result or you don’t. OKRs are time-bound (typically to a standard business quarter). They’re set, but then routinely check-in on with flexibility to pivot or amend as environments change or new problems take priority.

Benefits of setting and documenting OKRs

One of the most substantial benefits of implementing OKRs into an organization is that they align employee motivation to organizational performance. Leadership sets high-level goals, managers and teams translate those into workable goals for themselves, achieving cohesion and nurturing a shared sense of purpose.

The OKR system is also scalable. Companies large to small or growing can adopt the OKR methodology. The system is flexible and translates incredibly well to remote or hybrid workforces—particularly if the organization is using a platform like Betterworks that collects, communicates, and measures OKR progress in real-time.

OKRs play a helpful role for managers as well. Managers are tasked with motivating their teams, understanding their struggles, and showing up for crucial conversations. On top of performing their core job, they’ve got alignment, feedback, development, and recognition to keep in mind. Setting strategic OKRs with a team gives managers a roadmap and a cadence to address those concerns that were before handled impulsive or ad hoc.

What makes a strong OKR?

Now that you understand the general benefits of OKRs, how do you write them? What do clear, actionable, and aspirational goals look like? And, how do OKRs vary by department, role, or function?

OKR writing may seem daunting. Keep in mind that not only are OKRs primed to be revisited and adjusted, once you begin to use them and understand how they’re measured, writing them will get easier and easier.  

When writing an Objective, think about the most valuable focus of the next quarter (or with whatever timeframe you decide). Less is more in terms of OKRs, and we’ve found that no more than 3 objectives are the sweet spot for teams to remember and work on. 

Well-written Objectives are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable, but aspirational
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Each Objective should be tied to a Key Result. Key Results prove that you’ve either achieved your Objective or not. They are a measure of the work, not the actual work.

Key Results are:

  • A measure of the work
  • Demonstrate a result

What does an OKR template look like?

You can build an OKR template wherever you work or feel most comfortable. John Doerr, an OKR pioneer and author of the bestselling book “Measure What Matters” built an OKR Excel template you can download and use. 

The basic requirements on an OKR template include:

  • Owner. The individual, team, or company owning these specific OKRs 
  • Time-frame. The agreed upon time the OKRs are written fo (e.g. Q2 2026)
  • Objectives. 1 – 3 clearly written Objectives
  • Key Results. 2-4 plainly written and measurable Key Results nested beneath each Objective

Additional OKR template details:

  • Ownership. The individual or team that is taking ownership of the each Objective
  • Status update. A status report on the progress of each Objective

Sharing and updating your OKRs and OKR template

While creating your own OKR template is easy, you must set a cadence for revisiting the OKRs throughout the timeline you set. Biweekly check-ins with your team or with leadership is a great place to start. You can update progress together, ask key stakeholders about roadblocks and wins, and reassess if priorities have changed.

OKRs are a company-wide commitment. As such, they should be shared and accessible so all individual contributors can transparently understand top-level goals. Whether you use an Excel sheet or a Google doc, make sure everyone is aware it exists and that it’s open for reading and questioning.

Betterworks bakes in cadence, updates, and universal sharing of OKRs directly into our platform. We treat OKRs for what they are: living goals that require transparency and accountability. Our platform allows leaders, managers, and individual contributors to seamlessly integrate OKRs into their daily work routines resulting in alignment, engagement, and connection to a higher purpose.

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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:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. 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.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. 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.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. 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:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 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.

 

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