Writing
Objectives E-7
A
strong rooster can sing in any chicken coop. (a weak plan won't
work anywhere)
Relevant
objectives can be written only after issues are identified (module
E-5), then turned into priorities (module E-6) which are then
stated as goals. These steps are described in module E-4 on program
planning. You may wish to read (reread) those modules. Completing
module E-6 will give you a set of goals (general statements of
intent). Now you are ready to turn these goals into specific objectives
which will be the key part of the plan of work that you write
in module E-9.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
After completing
this module you should be able to:
1. Describe
the criteria for a useful specific objective.
2. Identify objectives which do not meet the criteria.
3. Write specific objectives which can be evaluated.
EXERCISE:
Write from
1 to 3 specific objectives for each goal. To get started, look
at the objectives described in step III of the program planning
process described in module E-4. You may also refer to the "learning
objectives" at the beginning of this module. Use the check
sheet below to evaluate each objective and rewrite until each
objective meets all criteria on the check sheet. Work with a partner
to evaluate the objectives that you have written alone. Be patient
if this exercise seems unnecessarily detailed and boring. Do not
cut any corners.
CHECKLIST
TO EVALUATE OBJECTIVES
The objective
should be:
1. Clear
- anyone in your organization can understand it.
2. Challenging - requires some effort.
3. Realistic - does not require more time or resources
than you have.
4. Specific - it states who does what by
when.
5. Observable - accomplishment of the objective can be
observed; there is no doubt that the objective has been met.
6. Measurable - accomplishment of the objective can be measured
(you can say that it was 100% accomplished, 50% accomplished,
etc.)
7. Simple - complexity is no virtue in writing objectives.
8. Not too confining - there is some flexibility to allow for
changes in the overall situation. If the objective can only be
achieved under optimum conditions, then it is too confining.
IN
CONCLUSION
Writing objectives
is boring to some people who don't like detail work. However,
objectives are the key to any plan. Without clear, specific objectives,
members don't know where your group is heading. At the very least,
you will have a fuzzy plan of work; at the worst you will have
complete chaos with everyone going in different directions and
getting in each other's way. Objectives are critical in moving
from ideas to action. So don't ignore or downplay objectives.
NEXT
STEPS
Later you
will use the objectives as a part of your plan of work (module
E-9 and then to evaluate progress (module E-10). The next step
in program planning, however, is to assess resources (module E-8).
If the resources that you have (or that you can get) are not sufficient
to accomplish the objectives that you have written, then you will
need to rewrite those objectives to make them more realistic.
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