Setting effective objective to guide your team and organisation is very important for leader to get right. Badly formulated objectives will steer an organisation in the wrong direction. I found this 10 step approach to setting SMART objectives from the National Primary and Care Trust, it’s a great follow-on from my previous post.
- Sort out the difference between objectives and aims, goals and/or targets before you start. Aims and goals etc relate to your aspirations objectives are your battle-plan. Set as many objectives as you need for success.
- SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.
- Don’t try to use that order M-A/R-S-T is often the best way to write objectives.
- Measurable is the most important consideration. You will know that you’ve achieved your objective, because here is the evidence. I will know too! Make sure you state how you will record your success.
- Achievable is linked to measurable. Usually, there’s no point in starting a job you know you can’t finish, or one where you can’t tell if/when you’ve finished it. How can I decide if it’s achievable?
- you know it’s measurable
- others have done it successfully (before you, or somewhere else)
- it’s theoretically possible (ie clearly not ‘not achievable’)
- you have the necessary resources, or at least a realistic chance of getting them
- you’ve assessed the limitations.
- If it’s achievable, it may not be realistic. If it isn’t realistic, it’s not achievable.You need to know:
- who’s going to do it?
- do they have (or can they get) the skills to do a good job?
- where’s the money coming from?
- who carries the can?
Realistic is about human resources/time/money/opportunity.
- The main reason it’s achievable but not realistic is that it’s not a high priority. Often something else needs to be done first, before you’ll succeed. If so, set up two (or more) objectives in priority order.
- The devil is in the specific detail. You will know your objective is specific enough if:
- everyone who’s involved knows that it includes them specifically
- everyone involved can understand it
- your objective is free from jargon
- you’ve defined all your terms
- you’ve used only appropriate language.
- Timely means setting deadlines. You must include one, otherwise your objective isn’t measurable. But your deadlines must be realistic, or the task isn’t achievable. T must be M, and R, and S without these your objective can’t be top-priority.
- It is worth this effort! You’ll know you’ve done your job well, and so will others.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellently explained. If you could include an exercise which could help trainers impart skills to trainees, it would be superb.
One of my ‘issues’ with the usual SMART paradigm is the similarity between A&R – Achievable and Realistic. Consequently I change the R to mean RESOURCED – all too often I see under-resourced goals being pursued.
G
I agree with Gordon re A & R being too much alike. They are both focused on resources. But I don’t see how changing R to Resourced adds value. I am thinking how to lead a group through this process and would also like an exercise that clearly distinguishes A from R…. Looking around but haven’t figured out how I will do it yet.
Thada, suppose one has a retirement goal of retiring with enough money to provide $5,000 a month for twenty years. Now suppose one of the objectives to meet this goal includes winning the lottery. While that is acheiveable–it may be done–it is not realistic. Suppose another one of the objectives is to find a goose which lays golden eggs. That objective would be neither achievable nor realistic. Do you see the difference?
Another comment
=Acheivable- physically possible or implementablit.
R=Realistic- does the objective line up to the goal and the context in which the goal and objective live?
By way of example
Vision- contribute to the protection of the environment and my family
Goal- to have a efficient and safe and reliable transport for my family
Objective- buy efficient car by Jan 2012 for less than $20k
Specific- Car to carry 5
Measureable- 50 mpg fuel economy
Achievable: have the cash
Realistic : in every day use on short trips
Timely- before the 5th child arrives
Note there is a contradiction between the Specific, Measurable and Realistic.40 mg might be closer to reality. Relevant is a nother good word here to think about.
Also in numerous situations it is the quality of thought and directed thinking to solve contradictions amid chaos that is of most value to those involved
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