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Using Empath to Build and Manage OKRs and Rocks

Using Empath to Build and Manage OKRs and Rocks

Based on guidance and implementation philosophy by Kyle Christensen

Summary

Empath can support organizational OKRs and EOS Rocks by giving your team a structured way to plan, deliver, and measure professional development. When implementing a training initiative that touches multiple departments, it helps to break the work into clear phases, use Empath pathways as repeatable project components, and track progress using simple KPIs. This article outlines a practical method for using Empath to operationalize Rocks and long-term learning goals.

How to Use Empath for OKRs and Rocks

1. Break the Rock Into Phases

Large implementations, such as Deploy Empath or Create a Service Desk Learning Program, cannot be completed as a single task. Use phased milestones to divide ownership and avoid bottlenecks.

Typical Phases

  1. Create the Framework

    • Build the structure of your pathways first

    • Define what roles need training and identify the empty boxes

    • This is a simple yes or no milestone

  2. Create or Source Content

    • Add existing vendor training, internal documentation, or Empath content

    • Build new lessons only when needed

    • You now have measurable KPIs such as 4 of 40 courses complete, or 12 of 40 sourced

  3. Assign Pathways to Employees

    • Assign learners by department or role

    • Apply due dates that align with your Rock timeline

    • This is also a yes or no milestone

  4. Create Your Management Process

    • Decide when and how managers will review Empath progress

    • Examples: weekly team meetings, monthly one on ones, quarterly reviews

    • Keep this simple at first and refine later

  5. Follow Up and Review

    • Use Empath reporting to evaluate whether the training is producing impact

    • Review progress with leadership in weekly or monthly scorecards

    • Adjust pathways based on feedback and performance

  6. Iterate and Improve

    • Training programs evolve over time

    • You may carry an improve and expand training Rock into future quarters

    • Treat Empath as a continuous improvement engine rather than a one time project

2. Create Cross Department Accountability

Large initiatives require multiple departments working in parallel.

Recommended Structure

  • One Rock Owner or Project Manager
    Oversees implementation and ensures cross department collaboration.

  • Department Contributors
    Each department owns its portion of the Rock. Examples include:

    • Managed Services: lessons created, KBs added, escalations reduced

    • Professional Services: process documentation, role onboarding pathways

    • Sales: product knowledge training, playbooks, standardized messaging

Empath pathways become the shared tool everyone uses.

3. Use KPIs to Track Progress and ROI

Empath creates measurable activity you can bring into your scorecards and leadership meetings.

Examples of Weekly KPIs

  • Lessons created

  • Lessons completed

  • KBs added to Empath

  • Escalations from T1 to T2

  • Completion percent of assigned pathways

Why KPIs Matter

This provides:

  • Leading indicators of improved margins

  • Early visibility into employee performance gaps

  • Predictive insight into employee retention

  • Proof that your training initiative is producing measurable results

4. Use Scorecards for Weekly Accountability

For teams using EOS or similar frameworks, add Empath KPIs to the weekly leadership scorecard.

Example layout:

Department Owner KPI Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Managed Services Marvin Lessons Created 1 0 2 1
HR Diana Lessons Completed 5 4 3 1
Managed Services Marvin KBs Created 2 1 3 2

This creates peer accountability and ensures the Rock is consistently managed.

5. Look Ahead When Planning Rocks

Kyle recommends planning two quarters ahead when designing training OKRs.

Why

  • Framework and content sourcing may take one full quarter

  • Iteration and improvement occur in later quarters

  • You need real data before evaluating impact

  • Avoids declaring the Rock done when the real work has just started

This makes Empath a long term strategy rather than a one time project.

6. Evaluating ROI Using Empath Data

Over time, Empath allows you to correlate:

  • More documented lessons with fewer escalations

  • Higher course completion with improved first contact resolution

  • Consistent training cadence with reduced employee churn

  • Role specific pathways with quicker onboarding

These patterns help determine whether the Rock produced measurable operational improvements.