Performance Program Goal Writing Assistance

The cookbook method can help employees and supervisors write goals that are clearly understood by both parties. The method includes the following steps:

An accomplishment or statement of end result (usually a verb). For example:

To improve
To conduct
To investigate

A target area or focus for your efforts. For example:

To improve 20XX-20XX residence hall retention rates …
To conduct training in the new performance evaluation and professional development system …
To investigate the link between grades and retention of first-year students …

A measurement or standard to compare progress. For example:

To improve 20XX-20XX residence hall retention rates by 10% from 20XX-20XX …
To conduct training the new performance evaluation and professional system for all managers and professional employees …
To investigate the link between grades and retention of first-year students and make a recommendation to the retention committee about support services backed by statistics and testimonials from first-year students …

An achievement date. For example:

To improve 20XX-20XX residence hall retention rates by 10% from 20XX-20XX by December 31.
To conduct training the new performance evaluation and professional development system for all managers and professional employees by May 31, 20XX.
To investigate the link between grades and retention of first-year students and make a recommendation to the retention committee about support services backed by statistics and testimonials from first-year students by June 30, 20XX.

Write S.M.A.R.T. Goals

S.M.A.R.T. goals ensure that all necessary elements are included for creating actionable, well-planned, and achievable goals. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is:

Specific = Detailed, particular, focused. E.g., “Increase the number of transfer admission applications processed.”
Measurable = Quantifiable, a standard for comparison, the means to a specific result, limiting. E.g., “ … to 10 applications processed per day.”
Action-Oriented = Performing, operating, producing results. E.g., “Increase … processed …”
Realistic = Practical, achievable, accurate, possible. E.g., “(Increase) … from current level (6 per day) to 10 processed applications per day.”
Time-Bound = Scheduled, regulated by time, a finite duration of activity, extent of resources allowed, deadline. E.g., “By April 30, 20XX”