What are Results Driven Indicators (RDI)?

RDI is a modern corporate goal framework designed to simplify strategy execution through a 3-level hierarchy of metrics: Strategic Drivers, Department Results, and Team Execution.

How does RDI differ from OKRs?

While OKRs focus on qualitative objectives and quantitative key results, RDI focuses on a lean hierarchy of 10-15 core metrics that provide constant alignment across the entire organization without the overhead of complex goal-setting cycles.

What is the 3+1 pattern in RDI?

The 3+1 pattern means each department identifies exactly 3 Results focused on achieving the strategic drivers, plus 1 guardrail to protect healthy growth.

Results Driven Indicators (RDI)

Results Driven Indicators (RDI) is an executive operating framework created by Ibán López Delgado and published by Registra UP to manage company-wide strategic alignment with 10–15 core metrics.

3–5 Strategic drivers → Department 3+1 Results → Team execution. Fast to implement. Built for measurable results.

What it is

A hierarchical metric model

Level 1 — Strategic Drivers

3–5 high-level drivers set by the company’s financier/stewards (e.g., revenue, active users, ARPU). These are the company North-Star signals.

Level 2 — Department 3+1 model

Each area defines 3 Results focused on achieving the strategic drivers, plus 1 guardrail to protect healthy growth.

Level 3 — Team execution

Teams build roadmaps, define projects, and organize activities and tasks to achieve the cycle's results.

Covalent Bonds

How objectives relate to each other

The RDI Method doesn't just list metrics — it maps how they pull together or create friction. Using a chemistry metaphor, Key Results act like atoms that share 'electrons' (strategic drivers) to form covalent bonds.

How it works

1. Score

Each Result is scored (-2 to +2) on how it impacts the 5 strategic drivers.

2. Align

Results that push the same drivers in the same direction form bonds.

3. Tensions

When one Result helps a driver but another hurts it, a tension line appears.

4. Red Flags

Results with no connections are isolated and not pulling with the system.

Scoring Scale

+2 Strong leverage+1 Helps0 Neutral−1 Costs / Hurts−2 Conflicts

Benefits

Company focus and alignment on a single strategic path

Keeps metric count small (10–15) while covering the whole org

Balances growth with safety via guardrails (quality, cost, churn)

Scalable: fits startups to enterprises and any industry

Results-first: optimizes for outcomes, not activity

Quick start

Leadership selects 3–5 Strategic Drivers and targets.

Each department defines 3 Results mapped to drivers + 1 guardrail.

Teams build roadmaps, define projects, and organize activities.

Implement dashboards (monthly cadence) and a single review ritual per driver.

Iterate: revise targets quarterly, keep metric list ≤15.

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