Hierarchy of Strategic Intent
Vision/Mission
Increasingly
Detailed
Strategic Objectives
Increasingly
Strategic
Action Plans
UPC
“Strategic” Objectives
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“Strategic” implies change
“Strategic” implies deliberate
“Strategic” implies effort/action
“Strategic” implies significance
“Strategic” Implies …………..
UPC
Each Objective Must Be SMART
What are Smart Objectives?
 Specific
 Measurable
 Attainable
 Relevant/Realistic
 Time Bound
SMART Means Specific
Consider the six “W” questions:
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Who: Who is involved?
What: What do I want to accomplish?
Where: Identify a location.
When: Establish a time frame.
Which: Identify requirements and
constraints.
Why: Specific reasons, purpose or
benefits of accomplishing the objective.
Objective: Increase student
retention.
Diagnostic Questions For Specific
• What exactly are we going to
do?
• What strategies will be used?
• Is the objective well
understood?
• Is the objective described with
action verbs?
• Is it clear who is involved?
• Is it clear where this will
happen?
• Is it clear what needs to
happen?
• Is the outcome clear?
• Will this objectivee lead to the
desired results?
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SMART Means Measurable
What is Measurable?
• Can I quantify it?
• How much?
• How many?
• How will I know when the
objective is accomplished?
• Will it allow me to chart
progress?
Objective: I want to grow our academic programs.
Diagnostic Questions for Measurable
• How will I know that the change has occurred?
• How will I know when I have accomplished the
objective?
• Can these measurements be obtained?
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SMART Means Attainable*
What is Attainable?
Objective: Implement
classroom faculty peer
evaluations this semester.
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Effort requires a belief that there is
some chance of success.
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Challenging objectives can be more
motivational than easy ones.
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Objectives people don’t think they
can attain will not be motivational.
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Is there a belief that the necessary
resources are available?
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Does the group climate support
objective achievement?
*Sometimes referred to as Achievable
Diagnostic Questions for Attainable
• Are the objectives you set
achievable and attainable?
• Can the team members
successfully complete this
objective with the skills,
resources and time available
to them?
• Are there factors beyond your
control that need to be
considered?
• Can the team members get it
done in the proposed time
frame?
• Do the team members
understand the limitations and
constraints?
• Has anyone else done this
successfully?
• Is this possible?
UPC
objective: Each faculty member will conduct at least one service learning project per semester.
SMART Means Relevant/Realistic
Make objectives Relevant
• Are people willing to expend effort to
achieve the objective?
• Are people able to achieve this
objective?
• Will it make a difference in the mind of
those implementing the objective?
• Remember relevance and realism can
be personal.
Objective: Each faculty member will conduct
at least one service learning project per
semester.
Diagnostic Questions for Relevant/Relevant
• Do team members have the resources available to achieve this
objective?
• Do I need to clarify priorities to the team members to ensure
that this objective is achieved?
• How can I help the team members see the relationship between
this SMART objective and our mission/vision?
UPC
SMART Means Time Bound
Objectives that are Time Bound include:
 Giving each objective an exact date that
indicates when the objective is
accomplished.
 Breaking down the objective into
attainable steps - quarterly, monthly, etc
(milestones).
 Tracking your progress; knowing where
you are and where you are going.
Objective: Dorm rooms must be empty and clean by the
end of the semester.
Diagnostic Questions for Time Bound
• When or how often do I need responses,
reports, summaries, agendas, schedules and
status updates?
• Is there a stated deadline?
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