The number of key results for your team depends on the time you have to work on the OKRs. Generally, it is recommended to have 1 to 5 objectives, each with 3 to 5 key results. However, this isn't set in stone. John Doerr and the people at Google suggest that each team should have a maximum of 5 objectives with 4 key results per objective.
Key results can be modified or discarded if they no longer make sense. For example, if your goal is to “self-publish a novel”, writing 1000 words a day is more suitable as a daily task than as a project in and of itself. In each layer, there should be 5 additional objectives combined with 3 to 5 key results each that reflect the work that needs to be done. It is important to make sure that the objectives and key outcomes are specific and measurable.
If the owner of a goal spends a couple of weeks without making measurable progress on an objective or completing any key results, that owner of the objective will not progress. In conclusion, the maximum number of key results for your team depends on the time you have to work on the OKRs. However, this isn't set in stone and can be modified or discarded if they no longer make sense.
