Setting realistic and achievable goals can allow professionals working in various departments to progress and advance in their careers. Many organisations create milestones and build strategies to help employees achieve their goals. Learning more about the objective setting can help you improve your abilities and the overall growth of the organisation. In this article, we discuss what objective setting is, explain how to set objectives and explore some common types of objectives.
What is objective setting?
If you want to learn ‘what is objective setting?’ then understanding the concept of objectives first can be helpful to you. An objective is a specific target to be accomplished within a certain timeframe. Objectives may include actions required for achieving the goals. For example, a sales manager can achieve the goal of increasing revenue by setting an objective of adding a few new products by the end of the current year.
Objective setting is the process that involves planning goals and creating milestones to achieve them on a realistic timescale. Setting objectives can help you identify the skills you want to improve and establish a path to reach the end goal. You can first identify what you want to accomplish, develop an action plan with smaller achievable objectives and then perform the activities to reach that goal.
How to set objectives
Here are some effective steps that you can follow to set objectives:
- Conduct self-assessment
Before beginning the objective-setting process, find your interests and areas of improvement. You can analyse where you want to be in your professional career in the upcoming future. It can help you find your long-term goals. Conducting a self-assessment can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses. Find what aspects of your professional life make you passionate and benefit your professional career.
- Identify your goals
To set realistic objectives, find and simplify the goals you want to achieve. With the help of clear goals, you can give direction to your actions. While identifying goals, consider setting priorities. You can analyse which achievements are more important to you and prioritise them first. Once you identify your goals, you can avoid wasting time and focus on efforts to achieve them.
When you define your goals, you know where you are leading and how long it may take to achieve them. Identifying goals can also help in effective decision-making. In addition, knowing your goals can be a great way to motivate yourself to stay focused.
Here are a few examples of what a goal can be:
- increasing revenues
- improving existing skills
- maximising profitsÂ
- developing a brand
- improving work efficiency
- Convert objectives into SMART goals
Once you identify goals for yourself, convert them to SMART goals which mean specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Make your goal specific and measurable. You can use numbers to convert your goals into measurable ones as it may help in measuring the progress accurately.
You can also convert your goals into achievable ones that may feel possible to reach. In addition, setting goals relevant to your career can help you advance and promote personal growth. Setting time-based goals can be helpful in making yourself accountable for achieving the target before the deadline.
- Divide your goal into smaller ones
Consider setting short-term goals as it may help you progress towards the long-term goals. You may feel more satisfied when you complete multiple smaller goals in a specific period of time. In general, short-term goals can be more specific like objectives. For example, if you want to become a business analyst, you may set a short-term goal of pursuing a relevant certification. Reaching smaller goals can also help you increase your productivity and develop job satisfaction.
Here are a few examples of short-term goals:
- learning a new skill
- gaining a certification
- collaborating with other professionalsÂ
- updating your resume
- getting familiar with new technology
- Create an action plan
After setting goals, create an action plan to accomplish them. Make sure you create a plan that describes how you can achieve the goal. You can write the steps and complete them one by one. Writing the steps can allow you to visualise and remember your goals. You can place the written plan into a noticeable area and put plans into action. Breaking down the final goal into actionable steps may make it easier to accomplish.
- Set deadlines
Consider setting realistic deadlines for achieving your goals. If you have multiple goals to achieve then you can build a timeline and set priorities. Determining which goal to complete first and putting actions accordingly can help you save time and focus on one at a time. You can take help from various software and tools like assignment trackers and planners. Setting deadlines can help you develop a sense of urgency and motivate you to complete the tasks on time.
- Track your progress
Tracking your progress regularly can help you stay motivated. Realising that you are getting closer to completing a task may inspire you to work harder. Checking the progress can help you find areas of improvement and make changes accordingly. You can use tools like an assignment tracker to monitor the progress of a project. Consider scheduling a weekly or monthly check to assess your progress.
Types of goals and objectives
Here are some common types of goals and objectives:
Role objectives
Different job roles may have different objectives according to the responsibilities. Your role objectives can tell what you can do and how it’s important. If you are applying for a new role, understanding the duties and responsibilities can help in identifying your objectives. Performing the duties efficiently can help you promote the overall growth of an organisation.
Target objectives
Target objectives are measurable targets that many organisations set for their employees. With the help of target objectives, you can measure income, cost reduction or output. For example, a sales manager can achieve a target objective by measuring total sales in a day.
Task objectives
Task objectives are objectives that you can achieve by finishing tasks or projects before a certain date. Team leaders can set task objectives for their team members and set reasonable deadlines. The deadline of a project can be the task objective of an entire team.
Behavioural goals
Behavioural goals may include accomplishing behavioural expectations related to actions, dress and use of language. Leaders or managers in an organisation can set behavioural goals for an entire department. You can also set this goal for yourself and bring a positive change in your behaviour.
Performance goals
Performance goals are objectives that can measure your performance and motivate you to perform better. By setting performance goals, you can devise improvement plans and specify the actions necessary to achieve them. Many employers use a performance management system to analyse how professionals succeed in achieving their goals.
Academic goals
Academic goals are targets focused on education and academic career. You can set academic goals to earn a new degree and advance in your career. Academic goals may include pursuing a degree, gaining a scholarship, conducting research and maintaining good grades. You can pursue a certification course to achieve the goal of learning new skills.
Financial goals
Financial goals are targets focusing on your financial situation. You can set financial goals to save more money or eliminate debt. Many employers set financial goals like cost control and cost reduction to maximise profits.
