A Toolkit for Volunteer Leaders
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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.