I need help with an Integrated Business Management and Assessment paper

Setting Goals and Developing Objectives

A process improvement plan has various components. One of the most important components is the identification of the goals and objectives of the new proposed process. If the goal is the big picture, then the objectives are the steps we take to get there. As an example, your goal may be to open a business and grow it to annual sales of $1,000,000 in the first five years. In order to get, there we need to clearly define what will need to happen and the specific steps we will take. As a starting point in a product-based business, perhaps we need to identify the number of units we would sell and the selling price. Now that we know how many units we would need to sell, we need to examine our marketing strategy. How will we ramp up our sales? What resources are needed to do so? These are a few examples demonstrating the level of detail, planning, and forethought that will be needed in establishing your plan’s goals and objectives.

We will now take the process improvement plan to the next level. Welcome to Module 4!

This week you are going to be submitting a one-and-a-half page paper that really digs deep and establishes the specific goals related to the process improvement plan. Make sure that you spell out what you are specifically hoping to accomplish by implementing the new process. You will also want to ensure that you provide a timeline that clearly articulates what will be accomplished, by whom, and when. What we are trying to do is demonstrate the tangible value to the organization.

As you identify these specific goals and objectives, keep the SMART model in mind. There are some obvious reasons why we set goals, and some that are not so obvious. In particular, these goals will, to a great degree, be used to hold us and others accountable. These established goals will determine both the perception of our success and our actual success. I would encourage you to research the SMART model, as doing so will be valuable in this assignment, this course, and in the real world as well.

In general, SMART goals are goals that meet five criteria. First, we need to determine if our goal is Specific. An example of a specific goal is that you will complete this course with an A. This kind of specificity allows us to easily look back to see if it was accomplished.  Next, we want to make sure our goals can be Measured. In the previous example, you have committed to completing this course with an A. If you end with a B, then we will measure and determine your success as it relates to the stated goal. We also need to ensure that the goals we are setting are Attainable. Setting goals that cannot be reasonably reached not only creates problems for the individual, the team, and the organization, but it also serves as a demotivator. Setting obtainable goals will help to ensure both reality and success. You and the team working on the process improvement plan need to work together towards a common goal. Setting Realistic goals again helps to ensure success. Finally, a SMART goal must include a timeline. This Timeline helps to keep things moving forward and provides the opportunity to hold ourselves accountable.

Consider how the SMART model can help you as a student, as well as in your personal and professional life.

Setting goals and objectives can be difficult at first, but with practice you will become familiar with how to create specific and realistic goals and objectives for your organization. In the reading, you were introduced to the value of goal setting and how to effectively set goals. For this module, you will participate in one discussion activity and complete an assignment as part of your process improvement plan. The discussion will help you to define what a goal is and some of the best practices of goal setting. Your assignment for this module is to create goals and objectives for your new or revised process.