OKR vs V2MOM
Objectives and Key Results vs Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Measures
An OKR tracks a few results for a quarter. A V2MOM is a one-page plan for the year that also says how you will get there and what is in the way. Many teams use both.
01
The difference at a glance
| OKR | V2MOM | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A goal-and-measure format | A one-page plan |
| Parts | One objective, about three key results3 | Vision, values, methods, obstacles, measures4 |
| Usual horizon | A quarter | A year |
| Says how you will get there | No | Yes, methods in priority order |
| Names what is in the way | No | Yes, obstacles |
| Best for | Tracking a few results | Agreeing direction and trade-offs |
| Where it started | Andy Grove at Intel, brought to Google by John Doerr12 | Marc Benioff, while at Oracle; Salesforce has run on it since 19995 |
02
The same goal, written both ways
A coffee chain wants more new customers to start by ordering in the app.
As an OKR
ObjectiveMake the app how new customers first buy from us.
Key result 140% of new customers order digitally by December.
Key result 295% of app orders ready in 10 minutes by June.
Key result 3Checkout conversion from 26% to 30% by Q3.
As a V2MOM
VisionDigital ordering is how most new customers first buy from us.
ValuesCustomers first, in the app and at the counter · Speed over polish · One scoreboard for every store.
Methods1. Rebuild the app checkout. 2. Ready every app order in 10 minutes. 3. Launch the app in every store with a first-order offer.
ObstaclesStore staff are measured on counter sales · The espresso line slows app orders at peak · New regions compete for the same budget.
MeasuresThe same three numbers as the key results.
The measures are the same. What the V2MOM adds is the order of the work and the honest list of what stands in the way, which is what a leadership team usually argues about.
03
When to use which
- Use a V2MOM when the team needs to agree what matters, what comes first and what is in the way: at an annual planning retreat, a new leadership team, or a strategy reset.
- Use OKRs when the direction is set and the job is focusing on a few results each quarter and checking progress.
- Use both by writing the V2MOM for the year and turning its methods into quarterly OKRs.
Write either one in a minute with the free generators, then bring it to the retreat where the team agrees it.
04
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between OKR and V2MOM?
- An OKR is one objective and a few measurable key results, usually for a quarter. A V2MOM is a fuller one-page plan: vision, values, methods in priority order, obstacles, and measures, usually for the year. OKRs track progress; a V2MOM also says how you will get there and what is in the way.
- Is V2MOM better than OKR?
- Neither is better; they answer different questions. Use a V2MOM when the team needs to agree what matters and how to get there. Use OKRs when the direction is set and the job is tracking a few results each quarter.
- Can you use V2MOM and OKRs together?
- Yes, and many teams do. Write the V2MOM once a year to set direction, then turn its methods into quarterly OKRs. The V2MOM measures often become the key results.
05
Sources
- Andrew S. Grove, High Output Management, Random House, 1983. penguinrandomhouse.com
- John Doerr, Measure What Matters, Portfolio, 2018. penguinrandomhouse.com
- Google, "Set goals with OKRs," re:Work guide. rework.withgoogle.com
- Marc Benioff, "Create Strategic Company Alignment With a V2MOM," Salesforce blog, first published 2013, republished December 2024. salesforce.com
- Salesforce, "Create Organizational Alignment Through the V2MOM," Trailhead module Organizational Alignment (V2MOM). trailhead.salesforce.com
Written by Tom Olajide, Founder. Last reviewed September 24, 2026. Throughline is not affiliated with Intel, Google, John Doerr, Salesforce or Marc Benioff.