Setting Direction

Setting Objectives

Objectives and expectations in role link to our University strategy, our Faculty /School /Directorate /Area priorities and team targets and indicate clear measures of success. As a manager you should write your objectives first and share them, so that your team members can link their objectives to yours or the team's targets. Alternatively you may need to share the wider area objectives with your team so that they can better understand how their own objectives link to the wider strategy. 

Because objectives outline what each individual needs to prioritise and deliver over a 12-month period, they also strengthen accountability. When you support your team to set their objectives, focus on identifying an appropriate challenge that is also supported by their development plan: between four and eight objectives is a good range, but this will depend on the nature of the role. 

Objectives are simply statements of what you want to achieve. When introducing change or delivering results, it is important to have clear objectives of what you are aiming to achieve. 

Can I change my objectives? 

If a department or team priority changes due to external factors beyond our control, and the change will affect the work of a team or individual, then you will need to revise the agreed objectives appropriately together. If you do make any revisions or changes, then you should record the reasons why and capture any information on the progress up to that point.