Finding A Viva Goals Alternative: Why Choose Oboard

When Microsoft first launched Viva Goals, it seemed like a natural fit for MicrosoftTeams users. An OKR tool that worked right inside the Microsoft suite. However, in 2024, without much fanfare, Microsoft quietly announced that it would sunset Viva Goals by the end of 2025. For teams who’ve spent quarters tracking goals inside the platform, this has created an uncomfortable scramble: export your data, find a replacement, and try not to disrupt the rhythm you’ve built. That also meant looking for a good Viva Goals alternative.

TL;DR: Oboard vs Viva Goals at a Glance

Why Teams Chose Viva Goals

When Microsoft Viva Goals OKR rolled out, it ticked a lot of boxes for Microsoft-heavy teams. You could set and track goals without ever leaving the apps you already work in: Teams, Outlook, and even Power BI. The interface was workable, the learning curve was gentle, and for organizations deep in the Microsoft world, it felt like a natural extension of their workflow. But here’s the rub: as a Microsoft OKR software, it stayed firmly inside that walled garden. Customization was limited with little to no flexibility, and now the tool itself is heading for retirement. Which means your neatly aligned goals will need a new home.

Oboard: A Focused Viva Goals Alternative Built for Alignment

While it is a real pain to switch tools that help you manage how you do top-down strategy and execution, Oboard gives you a ready-made home for it all and does it even better.  It’s a Viva Goals alternative designed from the ground up for OKRs and KPIs. No bolt-ons. No “sort of does that, so let’s manage it.” You get frameworks that bend to your workflow, and dashboards that put your priorities front and center.

Here’s a full dashboard in Oboard where you get visibility on your OKRs and KPIs in one view.

Need it to work with what you already use? Check. Coming to Oboard from Viva Goals doesn’t mean you lose access to other tools within the Microsoft suite. There’s great integration with  Microsoft Teams, Excel, etc. Oboard also clicks right into mainstream workplace tools like Jira, monday.com, Confluence, and Salesforce. This gives you role-based access so everyone sees exactly what they should (and nothing they shouldn’t). Add fast setup and expert onboarding, and you’re not simply replacing Viva Goals — you’re upgrading to a smoother, sharper way of goal management.

Key Differences That Matter

When Microsoft announced Viva Goals’ retirement, a lot of teams realized just how dependent they were on a single Microsoft OKR tool. It’s a solid platform for anyone deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, but as an OKR-first solution, it has blind spots.

• Goal alignment & structure
  Oboard was built from the ground up for OKRs and KPIs, not as an add-on, but as its core purpose. That means you get a dedicated visual alignment map (think of it as your strategy’s family tree) that shows exactly how each goal connects to the bigger picture. Viva Goals OKR features were functional, but they lacked that high-level clarity.

• Reporting & dashboard capabilities
  If you’ve ever wished you could adapt to your way of working, Oboard makes it possible. You can design dashboards for QBRs or specific KPIs without hitting format restrictions. Microsoft Viva Goals OKR reports, while clean, were far less customizable. You can break down progress into smaller, cumulative milestones. Each milestone can have its own due date and target value, providing granular visibility into your journey towards the final goal.

• Data ownership & flexibility
  With Oboard, you can rename, restructure, and adapt how your company manages its goals and execution to align with your existing language and strategy.
  
• Support & onboarding
  While the Microsoft OKR software comes with general Microsoft support, Oboard pairs you with OKR experts who work side-by-side with you through onboarding, setup, and rollout.

Migrating from Viva Goals to Oboard

Switching OKR platforms in the middle of a cycle — or at any time — can be tricky; you want it to be smooth and hitch-free so that nothing is lost during the migration. That’s exactly how we’ve designed Oboard’s migration process.

Instead of leaving you to decipher generic docs, our team personally walks you through every step. We help you import your Viva Goals OKR data, set up your dashboards, and make sure your alignment stays intact from day one. We even throw in a free OKR consultation if your team requires it.

Here’s how it works:

• No data left behind – Objectives, key results, check-ins, and progress updates all move over. You keep the history that matters. You can also import your data using the Excel import feature in Oboard.
  
• Tailored setup – We’ll help you restructure your old Microsoft OKR tool data so it works better in Oboard’s flexible framework.
  
• Real people, real support – Your migration isn’t a ticket in a queue. We ensure the onboarding is a live process with OKR experts guiding you at every turn.
  
• Days, not weeks – Most teams fully switch from Microsoft Viva Goals OKR to Oboard in under a week, without missing a reporting cycle.

Viva Goals Is Shutting Down. Your Strategy Doesn’t Have To.

Viva Goals may be heading for the exit, but your vision isn’t on pause. The work your team’s done so far still matters, and it deserves a home that keeps momentum alive.

With Oboard, you’re not just replacing a tool. You’re upgrading to a Microsoft OKR tool alternative that’s focused, flexible, and here for the long haul. Migration is quick, support is hands-on, and your data moves over without a hitch. Book a free consultation with one of our experts to see how best to get started with migration.