OKRs vs NCT Framework: Which Works Better for Teams?

Feb 27, 2025

In the world of team goal-setting, two popular frameworks often come up: OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and NCTs (Narratives, Commitments, Tasks). Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide which works best for your team:

  • OKRs focus on measurable, outcome-driven goals. Ideal for teams tracking metrics like revenue or performance.

  • NCTs emphasize context and execution, using storytelling to align teams on complex, collaborative projects.

  • Both can be combined for a balanced approach: OKRs for metrics, NCTs for strategic alignment.

Quick Comparison:

Feature

OKRs

NCTs

Structure

Objectives + Key Results

Narratives + Commitments + Tasks

Focus

Measurable outcomes

Context and execution

Best For

Quantifiable goals

Complex, exploratory challenges

Success Metrics

Flexible (70-100% completion)

Fixed (100% completion required)

Implementation

Metric-driven

Story-driven with actionable steps

Key takeaway: Use OKRs for short-term, metric-based goals. Use NCTs for long-term, strategic projects. Or mix both for the best of both worlds.

Key Differences Between OKRs and NCTs

Understanding OKRs

OKRs are a goal-setting framework built around two key elements:

  • Objectives: These are clear, focused goals that outline what a team wants to achieve.

  • Key Results: These are measurable targets (usually 3-5) that track progress toward the objectives. OKRs can be either:

    • Committed: Require 100% completion.

    • Aspirational: Success is typically seen at around 70% completion [1].

Understanding NCTs

NCTs provide a more context-driven approach with three main components:

  • Narratives: These explain the strategic reasoning behind goals and how they align with broader company objectives.

  • Commitments: These are specific, measurable goals that demand 100% completion, bridging strategy and execution.

  • Tasks: These are the actionable steps required to meet commitments, allowing flexibility as teams work toward their goals [2][3].

Side-by-Side Comparison: OKRs vs NCTs

Aspect

OKRs

NCTs

Goal Structure

Two-tiered (Objectives + Key Results)

Three-tiered (Narratives + Commitments + Tasks)

Success Metrics

Flexible (70-100% completion)

Fixed (100% completion required)

Best Use Cases

Quantitative goals, company-wide efforts

Complex projects, cross-team collaboration

Progress Tracking

Based on measurable key results

Based on commitment and task progress

Both frameworks bring distinct strengths to the table. As Mooncamp highlights:

"NCTs are just a version of OKRs. After all, OKRs can be adjusted to reflect both the terminology as well as the NCT framework's rules" [1].

Choosing between OKRs and NCTs - or even combining them - depends on your team's specific needs and the nature of your projects. Let’s dive into how to make that decision.

How to Choose the Right Framework for Your Team

When OKRs Work Best

OKRs are ideal for teams focused on measurable outcomes, such as sales, product development, or marketing, where tracking metrics like conversion rates or revenue plays a key role.

  • Growing Teams: If your organization is expanding quickly, OKRs can help maintain focus by providing a structured goal-setting approach.

  • Short-Term Goals: For projects that require quick wins and frequent progress updates, OKRs' focus on measurable results is a great fit.

However, not all projects revolve around metrics. For initiatives that need more context and strategic alignment, NCTs might be a better option.

When NCTs Work Best

NCTs shine in scenarios where strategic clarity and collaboration are essential:

  • Strategic Initiatives: If a project requires a clear connection to market strategy or long-term goals, NCTs provide the necessary depth.

  • Cross-Team Collaboration: For projects involving multiple departments, NCTs ensure everyone understands their role through detailed narratives and clear commitments.

  • Exploratory Work: When venturing into new or uncertain areas, NCTs allow teams to adjust tasks while staying aligned with the overall strategy.

If your team needs both measurable goals and strategic alignment, combining OKRs with NCTs can offer a balanced approach.

Combining OKRs and NCTs

Blending OKRs and NCTs allows teams to leverage the strengths of both frameworks. Here's how they can complement each other:

Element

How to Use It

Why It Helps

Strategic Context

Use NCT narratives to set the stage for OKRs

Adds clarity and aligns objectives with strategy

Measurable Goals

Pair OKR key results with NCT commitments

Balances clear metrics with broader alignment

Actionable Steps

Break down OKRs into NCT tasks

Translates goals into practical, manageable actions

How to Implement:

  1. Begin with NCT narratives to establish the strategic foundation.

  2. Define OKR objectives and measurable key results.

  3. Break these into NCT commitments and tasks to guide execution.

Monitor progress using both metrics and qualitative feedback. This combined approach ensures teams stay focused on achieving results while maintaining strategic alignment.

Tools to Implement OKRs and NCTs

Popular Tools for OKRs

Asana is a project management tool that also supports OKRs. It allows teams to set objectives, track key results in real-time, and monitor progress through dashboards and automated updates.

Lattice integrates goal alignment with company strategy by combining cascading objectives, visual progress tracking, performance reviews, and analytics.

Using Ritmoo for NCTs

While tools like Asana and Lattice are built around measurable outcomes, Ritmoo is tailored for the narrative-driven approach of NCTs. It includes features designed specifically for this type of goal setting:

Feature

Purpose

Benefit

Goal Mapping

Links narratives to commitments

Aligns goals with strategy

Smart Feed

Provides asynchronous updates

Keeps everyone informed

Knowledge Base

Centralizes documentation

Makes context easily accessible

Ritmoo offers two pricing plans: an Essentials plan (€6/user/month) and a Professional plan (€299/month), which includes extras like KPI tracking and quarterly reviews. The Professional plan is ideal for teams managing NCT programs across multiple departments.

This platform focuses on strategic narratives, helping teams understand the why behind their goals while keeping track of progress through commitments and tasks. It’s especially useful for organizations tackling complex, long-term projects where context and alignment are critical.

Conclusion: Deciding Between OKRs and NCTs

Summary of Key Points

Choosing between OKRs and NCTs influences how teams set and achieve goals. Both frameworks serve similar purposes but are suited to different scenarios and organizational needs.

OKRs are ideal when clear metrics and regular tracking are required, such as in sales or product development. On the other hand, NCTs work well for long-term strategies where context and motivation are key. A mix of both can be helpful for cross-functional teams that need structured metrics alongside strategic alignment.

Final Recommendations

When deciding on a framework, consider these factors:

Team Structure and Size

  • Small teams focused on specific goals often benefit from OKRs' straightforward metrics and accountability.

  • Larger, cross-functional groups may find NCTs' narrative-driven approach more effective for fostering alignment.

Project Complexity

Select a framework based on the nature of your project. Tools like Ritmoo support NCTs with features tailored for storytelling and strategy, while platforms like Asana and Lattice are better for tracking measurable OKRs.

Implementation Approach

Start with a pilot program to test your preferred framework:

  • Use NCTs for complex challenges that require storytelling and collaboration [3].

  • Opt for OKRs for data-driven projects that demand clear performance metrics.

FAQs

What is the NCT approach?

The NCT (Narratives, Commitments, Tasks) approach is a framework designed to focus on storytelling and alignment. It helps teams understand the "why" and "how" behind their objectives. By starting with narratives, the NCT approach ensures clarity and alignment, making it especially useful for projects that involve multiple teams or require detailed context.

What is the NCT goal framework?

The NCT framework is built around three key components:

Component

Description

Narratives

Explain the vision and provide strategic context for goals.

Commitments

Define measurable targets that must be fully completed.

Tasks

Outline specific actions needed to meet commitments.

Unlike OKRs, which allow partial completion to count as progress, NCTs require commitments to be fully met. This makes the framework ideal for projects where partial completion could undermine the final outcome [1]. Tools like Ritmoo simplify the process by linking narratives to tasks, centralizing documentation, and offering updates to track progress and maintain alignment.

The NCT framework stands out for its structured approach and focus on alignment, making it a strong alternative to OKRs. It’s particularly effective for teams managing complex and collaborative projects, where precision and full completion are critical.