# Remote okr workshops

Setting OKRs remotely is harder than doing it in person, but it's not impossible.

Over the past few weeks, I've helped dozens of teams run their first remote OKR sessions. Here's what works.

## Environment Setup

### Video On

Body language tells you when someone is confused, disengaged, or disagrees. Without video, you lose that feedback and people disconnect.

Keep cameras on. It's 10x easier to facilitate when you can see faces.

### Audio On (Almost Always)

Muted meetings are dead meetings. The constant unmuting creates awkward pauses and jerky conversation flow.

Have participants find quiet spaces and leave audio on. A little background noise is better than dead silence. Default to sound on—your meeting will be much more engaging.

### Small Groups, Quiet Spaces

Large groups don't work remotely. Break into teams of 3-4 people maximum. More than that and people stop participating.

Everyone needs a genuinely quiet space. If someone's in a coffee shop or shared office, they'll be distracted and distracting.

## Workshop Structure

### Pre-work is Critical

Remote workshops must be shorter than in-person ones. You can't hold attention for 4-6 hours over video.

Send preparation materials 48 hours in advance:

  • →Previous quarter's results
  • →Strategic context for upcoming quarter
  • →Template for initial OKR drafts

Ask people to come with rough drafts. Use the workshop time to refine, not create from scratch.

### Breakout Rooms

Use video platform breakout features aggressively. Small group work is where the real thinking happens.

Have teams work in breakouts for 15-20 minutes, then reconvene to share progress. Rotate through multiple cycles.

### Shared Documents

Everyone needs real-time editing access to the same document. Google Docs or Sheets work well.

Project the main document during full-group discussions. Let teams edit directly during breakouts.

## Facilitation Tips

### Shorter Sessions

Plan 2-3 hours maximum, with breaks every 45 minutes. Remote fatigue is real.

If you need more time, split into multiple sessions across different days.

### More Structure

Remote workshops need tighter time management. Be explicit about:

  • →What we're doing now
  • →How long we have
  • →What the output should be

Set timers and stick to them religiously.

### Check In Frequently

Ask "Any questions?" every 10 minutes. Use participant names to call on specific people.

In remote settings, silence doesn't mean understanding. Force interaction to keep people engaged.

## The Bottom Line

Remote OKR workshops require more preparation but can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Focus on engagement, use technology well, and keep sessions short and structured.

Your team will thank you for the efficiency.