Skip to main content

Getting Started FAQ

Audience: All Users
Summary: Common questions and short answers when using COS for the first time.

General Questions​

1. What can I do in COS?​

✅ You can do the following:

  • Set up organizational structure
  • Define strategic foundations (Mission, Vision, SWOT, BSC)
  • Create OKRs (Objective + Key Results)
  • Link operational work (Initiatives)
  • Report progress periodically (WBR, MBR, QBR)
  • Monitor live metrics from dashboards
  • Manage access via roles & permissions

❌ COS is not intended for:

  • Detailed project management (see: Jira, ClickUp)
  • Expense management / invoice tracking
  • Deep HRIS integrations (depends on deployment)

2. Why does COS call some goals “OKRs”?​

In COS, OKRs are linked to Strategic Themes and used mostly at the company/team level.

  • Company OKR: Created by authorized strategy roles (typically ADMIN / STRATEGY_MANAGER)
  • Team OKR: Created by Team Leads
  • Operational tasks: Day-to-day work items (often managed in a task tool)

Flow & Phase Questions​

3. Can I do the phases out of order?​

❌ No. Phases are sequential and include gating/trigger rules.

  • Phase 1 (Setup) → start
  • Phase 2 (Reality Filter / Resources) → usually requires approval
  • Phase 3 (Assessment / Current State) → after Phase 2
  • Phase 4 (Execution Plan) → after Phase 3 (requires a positive assessment)

Conditional return:

  • Resources insufficient → return to Phase 1 and revise the plan
  • Current state negative → return to Phase 1 and revise goals

4. What does “Resource rejected” mean?​

Scenario: You submitted a budget/capacity proposal in Phase 2 and it was rejected.

Result:

  • Resource = rejected
  • The system sends you back to Phase 1
  • You revise the plan (often: more realistic targets)
  • Then you submit new resource proposals

5. What does “Negative assessment” mean?​

Scenario: In Phase 3, the current state assessment is marked negative.

Meaning: Baseline metrics are far from targets, so goals should be revised.

Example:

  • Target: NPS 80 (end of year)
  • Current: NPS 45
  • → revise the vision/goals before moving forward

Organization Questions​

6. Can I change the organization structure later?​

✅ Yes. COS keeps versions for organization structure changes.

  1. A new version is created when the org structure changes
  2. You can view past versions (audit trail)
  3. If needed, you can return to an older version

Example:

  • V1: old org
  • V2: engineering split into Backend/Frontend

Result:

  • V2 becomes active
  • V1 remains archived for traceability

7. How do I assign team members to OKRs?​

  1. Create an OKR and choose an Owner
  2. Open the OKR detail page
  3. Go to Contributors / Assignments
  4. Add team members (Assign)
  5. Save

Roles & Permissions Questions​

8. What’s the difference between ADMIN and STRATEGY_MANAGER?​

AreaADMINSTRATEGY_MANAGER
FocusWorkspace configurationStrategy planning & execution
Can seeUsers, settings, auditContext, Analysis, Synthesis, Execution, dashboards
Can doInvite users, assign rolesManage cycles, OKRs, approvals (if allowed)
Typical menusPlatform + permitted business menusBusiness menus (Context/Analysis/Synthesis/Execution)

9. As a TEAM_LEAD, what can I see?​

✅ Typically you can see:

  • Your direct reports
  • Your unit/department OKRs
  • Assigned items for your team

❌ Typically you cannot see:

  • Other departments’ OKRs
  • Global admin settings
  • Super-admin-only areas

Common “How do I…?” Questions​

10. I can’t see a menu / I get “permission denied”​

Why it happens: Your role does not have access to that menu/action.

What to do:

  1. Check your role (My Account → Profile)
  2. Message your Admin with the exact menu/action you need
  3. Admin updates Roles & Permissions

See:

11. I can’t update a KPI​

Why it happens: You usually need to be the KPI owner (or have Admin permissions).

What to do:

  1. Check the KPI owner
  2. Ask the owner to update or transfer ownership
  3. If needed, ask Admin for the correct permission

12. Can I export / import data?​

✅ If your role allows it (commonly Admin):

  • You can export key data (OKRs, KPIs) for reporting and analysis.

If you don’t see export/import options, ask your Admin.

Best Practices​

13. How many OKRs should we have?​

Rule of thumb: 3–5

  • Company: 3–5 OKRs
  • Department: 3–5 OKRs
  • Team: 2–4 OKRs

Too many OKRs = loss of focus.

14. How often should I update OKRs?​

ActivityFrequency
Measurement updatesWeekly (WBR)
OKR reviewMonthly (MBR)
OKR close / reopenQuarterly (QBR)
Carry-over / annual planningYearly

15. What are initiatives for?​

Initiatives are operational projects/work packages that explain how you will achieve OKRs.

Example:

  • OKR: Increase NPS above 75
    • Initiative: Upgrade customer support tooling
    • Initiative: Automate feedback loops
    • Initiative: Improve SLA process

Trial & Error​

16. I created the wrong thing — can I delete it?​

✅ Many items can be deleted or archived (depending on the object and your role):

  • OKRs, KPIs, initiatives: usually have a Delete action
  • Cycles: usually archived (soft delete)
  • Org structure: versioned (you can return to prior versions)

❌ Some items may require Admin/Super Admin support:

  • Workspace removal
  • Certain user lifecycle operations (may be deactivation instead)

17. Can I clear test data?​

Not directly for regular users.

Alternatives:

  • Mark OKRs as closed/archived
  • Archive old org versions
  • Ask Admin/support for help if it’s a dedicated test workspace

Support & Troubleshooting​

18. I got an error — who do I contact?​

Try in this order:

  1. Your workspace Admin
  2. Your internal support channel (if defined)
  3. COS support

If your organization has shared support details, you may see:

  • Email (example): support@cos.platform
  • A support Slack/Teams channel
  • A Help Center / documentation support page

19. COS feels slow​

First checks:

  1. Clear browser cache
  2. Check your network connection
  3. Try another browser

If it continues, contact support with your username, time, and steps.

See also​