Do you know where you want to go? A clear answer to this question is the first step to setting your goals. This is because a goal is a sort of final destination. We break the goal into more specific measurable items - our objectives - to get there.
What we call a goal is something more significant, more comprehensive: the achievement, in fact. It’ll require some planning and cannot be achieved quickly. That’s why we need to break it down.
Thus, we plan the route to the goal by taking smaller, objective steps. But first, let's explain what a goal is and what an objective is, to help you understand better.
What are goals, and how do they compare to objectives?
Objectives are very specific activities, and it's easy to understand if they were achieved or not, as they are measurable. That's because an objective is quantified and quantifiable.
When we said in the introduction that objectives are the small activities that make up the path to a goal, that's what we meant. Let's give you an example.
Suppose your goal is to ensure the team produces as much as possible while maintaining mental health. This is something grander and harder to quantify. Therefore, ideally, it's broken down into objectives that will lead you there, such as:
- Creating more efficient workflows and having them followed
- Monitoring activities throughout the month to check if the team is working an adequate amount of hours
- Ensuring that projects for that month are delivered on time
- Analyzing delivery results and understanding points for improvement
With these objectives, which are shorter pieces of the goal, it's possible to take action in a targeted way, focusing on achieving the goal.
Why setting goals and objectives
If goals are something more significant and less measurable, defining them lets the team know what they should aspire to. Then, based on the goal, objectives become essential, as they are the trackable bits of the goal, so we can understand if we are moving in the right direction.
This also goes for personal goals, but setting goals and objectives becomes indispensable when discussing teamwork. Goals and objectives show us where to go as a team and ensure we work together.
Here are the top reasons to set goals as a team:
- The team remains focused
If the team knows where it has to go (goal) and which way to go (objectives work as a guide), it will certainly be able to focus on achieving the expected result.
- Goals and objectives support your strategy and action plan
The strategy is maintained smoothly, with objectives making up the path to the final goal. The team is aligned and walking together according to the action plan designed by the company.
- The goal becomes more tangible
Since objectives are like a to-do list leading up to the goal, they end up being "easier." They help put things in perspective, and everyone understands how, through objectives, they’ll reach the bigger goal together.
- It's easier to track progress
Objectives are quantifiable and numerical, and you understand whether or not they are met - which means you can track your progress and results.
How to set goals and objectives for the team
Now that we understand how goals help, let's talk about how to set those goals and make sure they're achievable.
Start with the goal
Do you know the purpose of the company or the team? Perfect, start there. Break that goal into steps, your objectives.
For example, is the goal to sell 1 million units by the end of the year? Okay, what has to be done this month? Organize the sales funnel, perhaps. Next month? Increase the number of leads by 20%. And the next month? Keep doing this exercise, paving the way for goals.
Consult the team
Commitment to goals and objectives needs to be collective, so do this from the moment they are built. Talk to the team, list the priorities together, understand if all of you see eye to eye, and agree on the objectives set to reach the goal.
Use the SMART standard
When setting objectives, in addition to aligning them with the goal, it's essential to understand that they need to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.
Understand strengths and weaknesses
When setting goals and objectives, try to foresee where it could go wrong, what degree of control the team has in achieving each objective and the tasks it encompasses, and detect possible bottlenecks. If we anticipate problems, we can think about solutions and revise our steps.
6 tips for reaching your goals
With goals and objectives established as a team, everything is clear to everyone and drawn up, following a clear standard to be achieved. Let’s go over a few specific points to help you meet your goals and objectives.
Have a record for everyone
Visibility is crucial, and you need to have a way of registering the goals and the tasks that involve their achievement, so that everyone involved can always check it.
By organizing collaboration with Qntrl, you can turn these goals into workflows and get the whole team involved.
Track checkpoints
Just like everyone needs access to the record of goals, it's productive to monitor the development of the work to achieve them. The workflow that you used to register can be used to track progress.
Also, set dates to talk with the team and review what is going well and what needs more time or support.
Make room for mistakes
The best-laid plans, right? As much as everything is planned, documented, and agreed upon, mistakes can happen. Allow space for them, welcome them, and learn from them. It's the fastest way to fix them and get back on track.
Adjust the course
When errors, problems, or mistakes occur for whatever reason, it's always worth reviewing the route and understanding what needs to be adjusted to follow the path of reaching the goal.
Need more time for a task? Does this mean that another one will need to be delivered faster? Which one? Assess the situation and make the necessary changes.
Support the team
Alignment checkpoints are meant to support the team, but don't rely only on them. Talk to people, offer help, and make yourself available to the team. Even if they refuse help, they'll feel the motivation of having close leadership, which is always very good.
Celebrate
Yes, celebrate! With each milestone achieved on the way to the goal, it's important to celebrate and recognize advances. One more reason to feel motivated to pursue this goal.
Keep reaching your goals
So, did you get all the tips and how to apply them?
- Know the purpose of the team or company
- Build goals and objectives in collaboration with the team and aligned with the company's goal
- Make sure objectives are SMART
- Have checkpoints and accept mistakes, so you know when to adjust
Great, now you have to keep it up. Another advantage of having the whole process organized and registered in a solution like Qntrl is being able to look at it after everything is done.
It is a great way to debrief and check where improvements are possible. By looking back at the progress and revisiting what went right and what went wrong, you'll get even further even faster next time. Good goal achieving!
