You’re setting goals for your team. How do you make sure they’re the right ones?

1 SMART framework

One of the most widely used tools for setting goals is the SMART framework, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By applying this framework to your team goals, you can ensure that they are clear, quantifiable, realistic, aligned with your project's purpose, and have a deadline. For example, instead of saying "reduce water consumption", you can say "reduce water consumption by 20% in the next six months by implementing water-efficient technologies and practices".

2 Stakeholder analysis

Another important step in setting your team goals is to identify and analyze your stakeholders, which are the people or groups that have an interest or influence on your project's outcome. By understanding their needs, expectations, and perspectives, you can tailor your team goals to address their concerns and create value for them. For example, you can ask yourself questions like: Who are the beneficiaries of your project? Who are the decision-makers and funders? Who are the potential allies or opponents? How can you engage them and get their feedback?

4 Action plan

Once you have defined your team goals using the SMART framework, stakeholder analysis, and SWOT analysis, you need to develop an action plan that outlines the specific steps, tasks, and responsibilities that your team needs to take to achieve them. An action plan helps you break down your team goals into manageable and actionable units, assign roles and resources, monitor progress and performance, and adjust accordingly. For example, you can use a Gantt chart, a timeline, or a checklist to organize and track your action plan.

5 Communication strategy

A communication strategy is a plan that describes how you will communicate your team goals to your stakeholders, team members, and other relevant parties. A communication strategy helps you ensure that your team goals are understood, supported, and shared by everyone involved in your project. For example, you can use various methods and channels, such as meetings, emails, reports, presentations, or social media, to communicate your team goals. You should also consider the frequency, tone, and content of your communication.

6 Feedback and evaluation

The final step in setting your team goals is to collect and analyze feedback and evaluate your team's performance and results. Feedback and evaluation help you measure the impact and outcomes of your team goals, identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team and your project, and learn from your successes and failures. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, focus groups, or metrics to gather and analyze feedback and evaluation. You should also celebrate your achievements and recognize your team's efforts and contributions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?