Goal-setting

Process of establishing clear and specific objectives that align with the overall strategic requirements of the entity (mission and vision). This strategic exercise involves defining measurable targets, outlining realistic timelines, and ensuring that the goals set are challenging yet achievable. Effective goal-setting provides a roadmap for individuals and teams, guiding their actions and efforts toward desired outcomes. It serves as a fundamental framework for decision-making , resource allocation , and performance evaluation within the organization. Clear communication of these goals is crucial to fostering alignment and motivation among stakeholders, facilitating a focused and purposeful pursuit of success.

Close terminology
  • Strategy - A high-level plan or approach designed to achieve a specific goal or objective.
  • Objective - A specific, measurable outcome that contributes to the achievement of a goal.
  • Target - A quantifiable aim or level of achievement set for a specific goal.
  • Aspiration - A strong desire or ambition related to the organization's future state.
  • Mission - The overall purpose and reason for an organization's existence.
  • Vision - An inspiring and aspirational statement describing the desired future state of the organization.
  • Intention - The purpose or aim behind a particular course of action.
  • Ambition - A strong desire to achieve a specific goal, often associated with long-term success.
  • Outcome - The result or effect produced by achieving a goal.

Requirements

Each goal contributes to the achievement of specific benefits ( strategic objectives ). The requirements, closely related with the organization's mission, vision, and values, in public sector will often be expressed in foundation legal acts , regulations or conceptual documents like government strategies .

Consistency

Consistent and clear design leads to transparency of the goals.

Process-design : Documented and well-structured process for setting and revising goals

Reference Related documents are referenced like: strategic plans , annual reports , and other goal-setting documents .

Retro-consistency : The goals are in harmony with goals of previous periods - significant changes of directions, if any, can be substantiated in a convincing way.

Levels consistency : All teams and entities taking part in an activity, project or programme, form goals which are consistent among themselves.

Materiality

Each of the goals and all the goals together focus on material matters, i.e. all key challenges and opportunities, that are substantial to the organization's ability to create value over the short, medium, and long term. Materiality awareness is basis of prioritization of the goals set.

Timeline

It provides a schedule for when the goal needs to be implemented and can help in planning and resource allocation. Level of detail in the timeline can vary. It might specify a precise date, or it could be more general, such as a requirement to implement a feature within the next fiscal quarter. The timeline should be realistic and take into account the complexity of the requirement and the resources available.

Documentation

Supporting documentation and evidence related to the goal-setting process are preserved and available

INs and OUTs (section under development)

coming in

going out

Controls to review

regulation, documentation, reports