Objectives: What they are and why they exist
Featured in the Setting Objectives and Seeing Them Through training manual
By Beverley Williams
Category: Performance Management
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
This training activity introduces participants to the broad topic of setting objectives and seeing them through. It emphasises that objectives exist to improve performance, motivation and levels of satisfaction. Objectives are very much part of the language of our working lives. We talk about setting, reviewing and achieving personal objectives as part of the appraisal process; we hear about corporate objectives at ‘Year Ahead’ meetings, for example, and our teams and departments are all working towards meeting their own objectives. We refer to objectives on so many different occasions that it’s important to begin any work on objectives by defining exactly what we mean by the term to ensure that everyone has a common understanding. It is also essential to think about what the reasons why objectives exist and what can go wrong with the objective-setting process.
You begin the training activity by explaining that because objectives are very much part of the language of our working lives, it’s important that we make sure that we are all talking about the same thing when we refer to objectives. You ask participants to work in pairs for a few minutes to come up with their definition of an objective, and then take feedback from each pair, picking up on common words/themes before showing a definition on an OHT. Then you move on to look at the reasons for the existence of objectives and ask participants to work in small groups to come up with as many reasons as possible. You agree that objectives can be all of the positive reasons mentioned – for example, motivational – then ask participants to work individually to come up with their ideas about what could go wrong if the objective-setting process is not done well. You take feedback, then summarise by acknowledging that objective-setting that has been badly undertaken can actually damage morale and reduce performance levels. You can give an example of an objective that can actually kill people. Next, introduce the broad concept of SMART objectives, telling participants when you will be covering the topic fully (see ‘Introducing SMART objectives’), before a brief recap of the main points of this training activity. You conclude by taking key learning points from the participants before distributing and covering a key learning points handout, picking up on any points already brought out by the participants.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to introduce participants to the broad topic of setting objectives and seeing them through. It emphasises that objectives exist to improve performance, motivation and levels of satisfaction.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 10 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:10:00 |
| No of Pages: | 12 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers with participants who are involved in the objective-setting process. While this is of particular importance to line managers, all other members of staff will be able to contribute more fully to the objective-setting process if they have worked through this training activity.
Download the training activity, Objectives: What they are and why they exist as featured in the Fenman training manual; Setting Objectives and Seeing Them Through