To achieve a goal, there is a process you must implement. This process is for streamlining and analyzing your objectives. Start with the smallest, conspicuous part in the beginning. These are the most important steps in meeting the guidelines. An objective is a way of knowing what action or plan is to be taken and to identify the expected results. The plan provides a set of instructions so that decision making is not as complicated as when the goal is being considered.
Peter Ducker documented a book published in 1954 titled Practiced Management in which MBO, which stood for Management by Objectives, was introduced. It is a program that includes simple yet very useful procedures for meeting commitments in the organization. Don’t worry, as this applies to individual plans as well.
MBO consists of 5 phases:
1. It must be specific. It is better to accomplish one goal at a time than to think of several different plans at a time. If two or more outcomes are expected, no objective can be achieved. What is important is that it needs to be clear what is to be achieved and that should have your full attention. It should be taken as seriously as possible.
2. It must be measurable. A lot of things that aren’t tangible are hard to measure and there are things that are really measurable just for the fact that it involves numbers or ratings. Take service crew for example, it is hard to measure how the service was delivered but if the number of complaints is counted there is a specific number that can be used to rate the effectiveness of the service.
In offices, the number of tasks or assignments done is used as the basis for measurement. Collaboration, although a very vague term, can also be measured through subordinate and peer surveys. How fast or late assistance was provided to a person is sufficient to provide information on how the conditions might be measured. Try not to use common words when making objective statements. It should be something clear and specific like: write, recite, perform, fix, process, designate, buy, select, reprogram, etc.
3. It should be attainable. Available resources give information about how an objective can be achieved. It should be something that is derived from fact and is very realistic. It may be that a certain objective is actually realistic but there may not be a time limit to achieve the result. It is better to state motives that may be factual to it, promote motivation rather than a purpose taken from belief as this can lead to unexpected failure and a sense of hopelessness.
4. It should be result oriented. An objective should be clearly stated so that the expectation is clear. Focus on the end result as it will be the guide whether the objective to reach the goal is effective and meaningful. Will this objective help a person grow or be successful? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Once success is achieved and all the plans are fulfilled then it is a success.
5. It should be time bound. There must be a limit to everything that is needed to be accomplished. This matters because the root of any plan can be traced back. It will also tell whether the objective is effective enough that there is no delay. The sense of fulfillment will also be greater after achieving a goal with objectives set before a deadline.
Overall, develop an objective that can be easily measured, achievable, with a limited amount of time; proved worthwhile. A chart or journal can be kept to keep track of any opportunities and strengths found along the way. It will also indicate the time that was consumed and the length of time the objective was developed. A successful objective helps to motivate the individual or group for greater achievements.
