Groups often fail to take time to define goals and objectives. Resistance is sometimes expressed by such a statement as: “We don’t need to waste our time on objectives; let’s get on with our work.” Another very common feeling is often expressed this way: “Well, everyone knows what we are trying to do.”
Sometimes a group can be carried away in their enthusiasm about starting a new project before they clearly think through to their goals. There is only one way to make sure that all members are informed about the group’s goals and objectives and that is to provide time to consider them. It is important to allow time for this, especially when a group is just getting organized. When new members are brought into a group, it is important that the goals and objectives be explained to them and perhaps later reviewed and discussed thoroughly.
Another time at which careful restudy of goals and objectives is needed is when a new program is being planned and a new core of officers is assuming responsibility. Whenever a new project or activity is undertaken, it is well to insure that all members are aware of how this new undertaking relates to the objectives of the group or organization.
An important step in setting group goals and objectives is to explore and discuss the members’ ideas on what the objectives should be. Allowance should be made for discussing modification and change until the ideas are solidified by the group into definite objectives. To insure acceptance there should be discussion and agreement upon the relative importance of these ideas. After an idea is accepted, it must be put into a meaningful statement.
The last step in setting goals and objectives before securing final group acceptance is checking against the criteria for judging objectives. A short consideration of these criteria will help a group reach right decisions.
Briefly, the steps in setting group goals and objectives are:
- Provide time for the group to consider them.
- Explore and discuss the ideas, interests, and needs of the group members.
- Secure consensus on ideas, interest areas, and needs around which goals and objectives are to be formulated.
- Formulate statements that explicitly set forth the three necessary dimensions of well-stated goals and objectives.
- Test each goal and objective against the criteria for judging objectives.
- Insure common understanding and acceptance by the members of the group.
Once goals and objectives are set, future group experiences tend to be shaped by them and activities can be evaluated in terms of them. The extent that the motivating interests and aims of members of a group are incorporated into its goals and objectives will affect directly the loyalty and participation of its members in the program and activities of the organization.