ILRME502: Managing Team Performance

Cornell University ILR School

Tool: Goal-Setting Factors Checklist

Individual and Team Performance

Instructions:

Use this worksheet when developing goals. These questions can help with the initial definition of the goal as well as refining the goal throughout the process.

Does the goal support a performance standard?

  • What performance standard(s) does the goal support?
  • Are there conflicting priorities associated with the goal?

Does the goal motivate the team?

  • Which team members will be most directly involved in working toward the goal?
  • Does the goal allow for autonomy?
  • Does the goal allow for or encourage creative problem solving?
  • What aspect of the goal, if any, is generatingenthusiasm?
  • What open concerns are there, if any, about the goal?

What are the goal-setting criteria?

  • Do the S.M.A.R.T. criteria align with the values and needs of the organization?
  • What additions or modifications to the S.M.A.R.T. criteria might improve the fit?

Questions for S.M.A.R.T. criteria
Specific /
  • What is the goal? How will it be met?
  • What are the roles critical to meeting the goal?
  • Who is responsible for working toward the goal?
  • Who is responsible for tracking progress toward the goal?

Measurable /
  • How will the team know the goal is being / has been met?
  • Is there subjective judgement involved in deciding whether or not the goal has been met?
  • Is it possible to obtain anobjective measure of goal attainment?
  • What effort will be necessary to obtain an objective measure?

Attainable /
  • Has the goal been met consistently in the past?
  • Is meeting the goal a near certainty, a possibility, or unlikely?
  • Are there external factors that could impact whether the goal is met?
  • Are there resourcing factors that could impact whether the goal is met?
  • Is there flexibility in defining whether or how the goal has been met?

Relevant /
  • Is the goal critical to a performance standard?
  • Is the goal supportive of but not critical to a performance standard?
  • How could the goal be modified to be better aligned with performance standards and organizational objectives?

Timebound /
  • Is the goal eventdriven?
  • Is there a reporting cycle that is driving the time period?
  • Are there other time-bound actions or goals that depend on this goal being met?
  • What are the consequences if the goal is not met on time?

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