Formulating Objectives
A performance objective is a statement of a commitment to perform a specific act that is oriented towards the philosophy of the committee, valuable for achieving its purpose, worthwhile for improving and monitoring performance, and time phased — within a period of one year to achieve results.
Objectives should contain the following:
- Action verb preceded by the word “to”
- Specific and measurable act
- Target date for completion
- Criteria for determining successful performance
- Cost in time, money, or other resources, if appropriate.
Program Objectives – are the bases for programs, projects, etc., which are developed and implemented to reach long-range goals.
Managing Objectives – are directed toward causing to happen the managing that is necessary to accomplish long-range goals.
Resource Objectives – are directed toward providing, developing, and improving resources (personnel, money, machines, materials, space, time, etc.) needed for the accomplishment of long-range goals (3-5 year period goals).
Problem-Solving Objectives – are emergency objectives to solve an immediate problem.
Basic Ingredients of Performance Objectives
Objectives should be:
- Based upon the long-range organizational goals of MLA
- Answer the question, “What vital part of the long-range 3-5 year goal will achieving this objective fulfill?”
- Measurable as much as possible in terms of a specific unit or, at least, in terms of trends or degrees of accomplishment
- Realistic and Attainable – unachievable forecasts should be avoided
- Relatively few in number; significant and primarily concerned with what must be accomplished
- Written in terms of results terms – what will be [the] result of accomplishment of an objective.
Summary……. An objective is:
- What you expect to accomplish
- When you intend to accomplish it
- What resources you will need to expend to accomplish it
See a sample planning grid.