Employee Goal Setting





So you want to learn how to properly do employee goal setting.

It is very easy indeed – all you have to do is to follow the SMART formula.

SMART is a simple five-step guideline to avoid vague goals that lead no-where.

Employee goal setting using the SMART formula helps you to keep your priorities straight, they help you focus on results rather than on the process, and they help you to stay on track with the overall business’ alignment.

SMART stands for …

1) Specific
2) Measurable
3) Attainable
4) Relevant
5) Time bound

Each and every one of the goals you give to each of your employees – and to yourself – must have all these five SMART characteristics.

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1) Specific

What do you need to accomplish? What is the outcome you need to achieve? Is it clear to others what you are trying to achieve? Describe it in specific terms.

2) Measurable

What are the performance targets that you are aiming for? How will you know that the goal has been met? What are your quantitative or qualitative measures that you can use to help you know when you will have reached the expected results?

3) Attainable

Do you have all the necessary resources to attain this goal, despite all the foreseeable obstacles?

4) Relevant

Are the goals directly related to the business goals? Do they address key customers (internal and/or external) requirements?

5) Time bound

Do you have regular dates set up to review your progress? How long will it take you to achieve this goal?

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Final words:

How to properly do employee goal setting is NOT rocket science – it only takes following to the “T” this SMART formula.

Grab all the goals that each one of your employees currently has, filter each one of them through these SMART criteria, and see if they pass the test. If they don’t, correct each one of them until they really do.

Remember: In employee goal setting, not setting SMART goals is a primary cause of low performance.

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If you would like your managers to learn more about employee goal setting through my training, speaking or consulting services, please click on this link.

To learn about the skills you need to manage the performance of your direct reports, go to my Management Skills page.

To learn about the skills you need to lead the performance of your entire organization, go to my Leadership Skills page.

To learn about other useful skills, go to my More Skills page.

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