Set a check-in rhythm for one goal
Last updated: September 4, 2026
Every OKR follows a check-in rhythm: the workspace rhythm, or its team's rhythm if the team has one. When a single OKR needs a different cadence, anyone who can manage that OKR can give it its own rhythm from the Check-in Rhythm control on the goal, or by asking Rhythms in chat. The custom rhythm applies to that goal only and can be reverted at any time.
How a goal check-in rhythm works
A goal check-in rhythm replaces the inherited rhythm for one objective, key result, or initiative. The goal gets its own check-in cycles, its own Check-in Status (Due, Overdue, Complete, and so on), and its own reminders, sent to the goal's delegates if it has any and otherwise to its owners. The workspace rhythm, the team rhythm, and every other goal are unaffected. Remove the custom rhythm and the goal goes back to following whatever it inherited. For how rhythms, windows, and reminders work in general, see Set a workspace check-in rhythm.
Who can set a goal check-in rhythm
Setting, changing, or removing a goal's check-in rhythm requires manage permission on that goal: by default the OKR owners and their managers, plus Rhythms Admins. Delegates can check in and edit the goal but cannot change its check-in rhythm. Everyone who can see the goal can open the Check-in Rhythm control to read the current rhythm. Manage permission is configured per OKR level in Settings › OKRs › Permissions; see Rhythms OKR Roles and Permissions.
Set a check-in rhythm for a goal
- Open the goal. In its properties, find the Check-in Rhythm control. Its value shows the frequency the goal currently follows, for example "Every week".
- Click it. The summary shows the inherited rhythm (for example "Every week · Monday · 3-day window · PST") and where it comes from: "Following the organization check-in rhythm" or "Following the Product team check-in rhythm".
- Click Set a custom rhythm for this objective (the label uses the goal's type).
- Choose the Cycle frequency (Every week, Every 2 weeks, Every month, or Every quarter), the Deadline weekday or monthly position, how many days before the deadline the window opens, and the timezone the deadline is measured in.
- Tick the reminders to send: When window opens, At midpoint, On deadline date. Reminders go out around 9 AM in the chosen timezone.
- If the goal's progress comes from a rollup or a connector, decide whether a manual check-in is Required or Not required for the goal to count as complete.
- Close the control. The rhythm is saved when the control closes, and a "Custom check-in rhythm created" message confirms it.
The goal's Check-in Rhythm value now shows the custom frequency, and its check-in status is recalculated against the new cycles.
Change or remove a goal check-in rhythm
To change the rhythm, open the Check-in Rhythm control again, adjust the settings, and close it; changes are saved on close. To remove it, click Revert to organization rhythm (or Revert to Product team rhythm, naming the team) at the bottom of the control and close it. The custom cycles are deleted and the goal follows the inherited rhythm again, exactly as if the override had never existed. Both actions are recorded in the goal's activity.
Set a goal check-in rhythm from chat
You can set, change, or revert a goal's check-in rhythm by asking Rhythms in chat, for example "Set a custom check-in rhythm for the Expand into EMEA objective: every 2 weeks, due Friday, window opens 3 days before" or "Reset the check-in rhythm on KR-42 to the team rhythm". The same manage permission applies.
Goal rhythm compared with the workspace rhythm
| Workspace or team check-in rhythm | Goal check-in rhythm | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Every governed OKR without an override | One objective, key result, or initiative |
| Who sets it | Rhythms Admins; Team Owners for their team | Anyone with manage permission on the goal |
| Set from | Settings › OKRs › Check-ins; the team's Check-in Rhythm page | The goal's Check-in Rhythm control, or chat |
| When to use | A shared cadence for the organization or a team | A goal that genuinely needs its own schedule |
Frequently asked questions
Does a goal check-in rhythm change the workspace or team rhythm? No. It applies only to the goal you edit.
Who is reminded when a goal rhythm comes due? The goal's delegates if it has any, otherwise its owners, on every notification channel enabled for the workspace and in the Rhythms inbox.
Can a delegate set the rhythm? No. Delegates can check in and edit, but the check-in rhythm requires manage permission.
Can I set a rhythm on key results and initiatives? Yes. Any goal type can have its own rhythm.
What happens to compliance history when I revert? Reverting deletes the goal's custom cycles, including their compliance records; the goal is then evaluated against the inherited rhythm's cycles. If you need the history, export or note it before reverting.