
Frame SMART objectives: most of the program mangers might have heard about this acronym for framing quality objectives.
This will also help you in planning all the activities accordingly. Objectives should follow a logical order: while framing the objectives, one should always remember that objectives should be logically placed, which simply means that while implementing a project a step by step procedure should be in place.For instance, if the goal of the project, is to improve maternal health in XYZ area, then each of the objectives should contribute and suggest measures for improving maternal health.
Objectives should support the goal: it is very important that each of your objectives contributes and supports in achieving the goal.This is an easy way to frame objectives that provide a detailed strategy for accomplishing the desired impact. Who: will be the primary stakeholders/beneficiaries or who will be doing a particular thing in a project?.When: will you conduct a particular project?.
What: approach will you adopt to reach the desired goal?. Why: are you proposing a particular thing?. Objectives should address the 5 Ws: While framing the objectives ensure that they provide answers to the 5Ws:. Once you have a logical and well-reasoned goal, you have to frame three/four objectives that would help you in achieving the particular goal. As the goal is a broad statement it will surely encompass multiple things which would be addressed through the various objectives. Keep only one goal for a proposal: Try to keep one goal for the proposal as having multiple goals in a particular project only creates confusion. Use language that is easy to understand by people, not something for which people have to use a dictionary. Use simple language to write a goal: Avoid the use of jargons and technical words to write a goal. For example, if your organization works for street children then the goal of the proposal should be relevant to your primary stakeholders. The goal should be consistent with your organization’s mission and vision statement: As your organization addresses certain social and developmental issues, keep these in mind while you draft proposals and write goals. For instance if your problem statement relates to aspects of poverty and issues related to poor and marginalized families in a particular region then your goal should state that you seek to alleviate poverty in the area through the proposed project. The goal should be in line with the problem statement: Goal of the proposal shows the reader your intention towards solving a particular problem and therefore the goal should be in line with the problem statement. Your goal should be clearly written so that the reader understands your purpose of proposing a project. Do not write a vague goal: Even though Goal is a broad statement, it does not mean that the project goal should be vague. Now that the difference between a goal and an objective is clear, we will look at ways to write quality goals and objectives. Objective: These are detailed statements describing the ways through which you intend to achieve the goal. It gives an idea to the reader of what problem your organization intends to address. Goal: It is a broad statement that defines what you plan to do in a project. To begin with, let us understand what a Goal and an Objective means and the difference between them.