What are Objectives

Customer Success Updated by Customer Success

OBJECTIVES

Objectives are the most important things you need to achieve in your role for the current or forthcoming period. They might be targets (e.g. 'increase sales for x product by 10%'), performance standards (e.g. 'all customer service emails will be responded to within 24 hours') or specific projects or deliverables (e.g. 'train all members of the department in how to use the new purchase ordering software').

There are two types of Objectives: Performance Objectives, and Personal Development Objectives

SMART

A good quality Performance Objective should be SMART:

  • Specific and Stretching - the Objective description should be clear, precise and unambiguous. The objec­tive should also be stretch­ing in some way (but still real­is­ti­cal­ly achievable).
  • Measurable - what will success look like and how will it be measured (e.g. in terms of quantity or quality)? One or more specific measures should be added to the "Measure of Success" box for each Objective.
  • Achievable and Agreed - the Objective should be realistically achievable (but not too easily), taking into account the available time frame, resources and support. It should also be agreed upon between the individual and manager or team.
  • Relevant - the Objective should support the achievement of the Organisational Goals and / or those of your team.
  • Time-bound - a specific date should be agreed for achieving the Objective. This should be entered into the "Target Completion" box.

Learn more about how to write SMART objectives by watching this quick video:

How to write high quality performance objectives from Clear Review on Vimeo.

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Setting Performance Objectives

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