Objectives

Objectives state the specific outcomes an individual, program, or organization expects to accomplish within a given or stated time frame. They are detailed enough to provide an overall sense of exactly what is desired without outlining the specific steps necessary to achieve that end. Objectives link “upward” to goals (more abstract statements of intention), “downward” to strategies (specific, action-oriented plans), and directly to outcome or effectiveness measures. The acronym SMART (specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time-bound) identifies the elements of objectives.