ShiftFocus vs Everyone
Execution Control vs OKR Reporting
ShiftFocus is built for CEO/COO accountability: it's not just "status." It's trajectory + intervention + enforcement so misses get prevented, not explained.
If you only need OKR reporting infrastructure, you already have options.
How to read this table
This compares capabilities that change outcomes, not marketing words
We use Yes / Partial / No to reflect "native vs partial vs not core"
Anything that matters gets proven in the parallel pilot scorecard
*Ratings are directional based on public product positioning + what we validate in the parallel pilot.
1-Minute Verdict
Where most tools are strong
OKR structure, alignment, reporting, dashboards​
Goal tracking infrastructure that works
Where they fail in real life
"Green until red" dashboards + late escalations
Manual QBR prep (because they show status, not trajectory)
Where ShiftFocus wins
Prediction + early intervention + enforceable cadence
The "execution operating system" spec
OKR platforms report.
Execution systems prevent.
Most tools answer: "Are goals tracked and reviewed?"
ShiftFocus answers: "Will we land the quarter, and what action changes the trajectory?"
The Core Difference
ShiftFocus is built around a control loop that prevents execution drift, not just reports on it.
Prediction
Detect trajectory decay early. Know what will slip before it's too late to recover.
Intervention
Identify root cause (capacity, dependencies, blockers) + get recommended actions instantly.
Control
Simulation + scenario decisions before you reshuffle the org. Test tradeoffs, not guesses.
Everyone has OKRs and dashboards.
Most tools report them. ShiftFocus controls them.
The Brutal Comparison
An honest, feature-by-feature breakdown. No marketing spin.
Who should choose which?
Choose Workboard / Quantive / Profit / Betterworks / Viva Goals if
You need OKR reporting infrastructure and your execution model is already working
You want governance, dashboards, and alignment visibility
Goals are mainly for alignment + performance conversations
Best for: Teams that need goal tracking infrastructure, not execution control.
Choose ShiftFocus if
You're tired of "green until red" dashboards and late escalations
You want early warning + enforcement (not just tracking)
You want exec reviews to become shorter, calmer, and decision-driven​
You need cross-functional execution control: dependencies, congestion, intervention tracking
Best for: operators and execs accountable for outcomes, not just goal documentation.
No rip-and-replace. No politics. One quarter of proof.
What changes / what doesn't
What stays the same
Your strategic framework and goal structure
Your existing governance and approval processes
Your leadership review rhythm and cadence
Your organizational accountability model
What changes
Risk surfaces 2–3 weeks earlier, giving you decision time
Cadence becomes enforceable (not optional)
Leadership interventions become smaller + earlier
QBR prep collapses into a clear narrative
Execution becomes predictable (trajectory + constraints + decisions)
ShiftFocus doesn't ask teams to "try harder." It changes the system they execute inside.
Proof you can verify in 30 days
No hand-waving. No case studies. Just measurable outcomes.
Risks surfaced before deadlines (tracked)
Fewer late escalations (tracked)
Shorter exec reviews (tracked)
Less manual QBR prep (tracked)
Clear interventions + outcome impact (tracked)
Pilot Scorecard Preview
Week-by-week metrics you'll track during the 90-day parallel run:
Week 1–2 — Setup + baseline capture
Baseline execution health
Cadence adoption rate
Initial risk signal map
Week 3–6 — Early signal validation
First drift signals detected
Time-to-surface risk vs current process
Blocker visibility + resolution cadence
Week 7–10 — Pattern detection
Repeat failure modes identified
Intervention actions taken
Impact trends (confidence, velocity, congestion)
Week 11–12 — Go / no-go decision
Evidence summary: expand, hold, or walk away
Exec narrative pack for QBR/board
Rollout plan if you proceed
If ShiftFocus can't create visible leverage inside a quarter, you shouldn't roll it out.
If we can't show signal inside 30 days, you shouldn't expand.
Run both in parallel for one quarter.
Decide with proof.
A controlled evaluation built for executive teams: measurable, reversible, and designed to respect your time.
See what you'll see in the first 14 days before you commit to anything.