How to Write an Effective Goal

2 Objectives This purpose of this slide deck is to provide the learner with:  the distinction between a goal and a job description  guidelines on how to write effective goals for the PDP process

3 Focus Areas  What is a goal?  What is a job description?  What is a SMART Goal?  SMART Goal Examples  SMART Goal Checklist

4 What is a Goal? A goal sets clear work expectations and aligns individual efforts to company or department objectives. They should have a measurable outcome within a specific timeframe. An example might be: “Reduce the amount of mishandled luggage by 5% in the first quarter”. Goals evolve and change depending on the needs and work priorities of the organization.

5 What is a Job Description? A job description clarifies your role and key responsibilities for a specific job position. Key responsibilities tend to be reoccurring tasks such as “develop financial models and conduct analysis” or “mentor and coach team members”. Job descriptions are associated with a specific pay grade and remain relatively static.

6 Importance of Setting Goals  Aligns individual efforts to organizational initiatives  Sets employee expectations and focus areas  Prioritizes work activities for the employee  Creates a base to assess work performance

7 Writing SMART Goals S pecific Clearly defines the expected outcome or deliverable M easurable Can be measured objectively to determine how much was achieved A chievable Challenging and doable R elevant Focused on the business, and your specific department objectives, not just an activity T ime-specific Sets realistic and explicit timeframe and dates for performance

8 Is this a SMART Goal? “Establish an HA Visa promotional plan”

9 Is this a SMART Goal? “Establish an HA Visa promotional plan” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates?

10 Is this a SMART Goal? “Establish an HA Visa promotional plan” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? NO Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? NO Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? NO Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? NOT SURE Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? NO

11 Better “Schedule and lead monthly meetings within Sales & Marketing to help identify ways to improve the HA Visa credit card promotional campaign. Set December 2011 target to increase enrollment by 3%”. Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? YES Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? YES Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? YES Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? YES Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? YES

12 Is this a SMART Goal? “Improve the way we track training in Asia”

13 Is this a SMART Goal? “Improve the way we track training in Asia” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? NO Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? NO Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? NO Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? NOT SURE Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? NOT SURE Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? NO

14 Better “Establish and document a new procedure on how to obtain training rosters from vendors conducting maintenance training in Haneda, including a communications plan and timeline by ”. Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? YES Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? YES Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? YES Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? YES Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? YES

15 Is this a SMART Goal? “Improve safety in the department”

16 Is this a SMART Goal? “Improve safety in the department” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates?

17 Is this a SMART Goal? “Improve safety in the department” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? NO Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? NO Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? NO Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? NOT SURE Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? NO

18 Better “Reduce injuries and lost-time accidents by 50% over the next 6 months and submit a detailed by ” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? YES Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? YES Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? YES Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? YES Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time- specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? YES

19 Is this a SMART Goal? “Complete audits in the month they are due”

20 Is this a SMART Goal? “Complete audits in the month they are due” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates?

21 Is this a SMART Goal? “Complete audits in the month they are due” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? NO Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? NO Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? NO Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? NOT SURE Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? NOT SURE Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? NO

22 Better “Complete and submit a detailed and accurate financial audit report to my manager by the 23 rd of every month” Specific Does this goal provide enough detail? YES Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? YES Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? YES Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? YES Relevant Does this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? YES Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates? YES

23 SMART Goal Checklist SpecificDoes this goal provide enough detail? Is it clear what the person will be held accountable for? Measurable Are there clear measures of performance? Achievable IS the goal challenging yet doable? RelevantDoes this goal directly support broader business goals and initiatives? Time-specific Does this goal clearly state completion dates?

24 Summary  Goals are aligned to organizational initiatives  Goals help set work expectations and focus areas  Goals help prioritize work activities  Goals create a base to assess work performance

Questions? Contact Jordan Chouljian at

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