Specific objectives

Therefore, we can say that these would be those necessary to achieve the main objective. The latter would be the end of the road and the auxiliaries the way to walk.

The general ones are established by the general director and the specific ones by each and every one of the departments. In fact, they have a series of characteristics that they must fulfill, as we will see later.

Importance of specific objectives

Like the general ones, these other objectives are essential in strategic planning. The company needs to know which way to go, but also to find a way to do it. For this reason, they are essential for the general management and the rest of the directorates, since without them the main objectives could not be achieved.

On the other hand, they allow an evaluation and control of deviations and take the consequent measures. In addition, knowing the goals can efficiently manage the human, technical and monetary resources necessary to achieve them.

It also allows adequate planning of each department in coordination with the rest. Finally, they facilitate communication and teamwork.

Characteristics of the specific objectives

These types of objectives have a series of characteristics or requirements that they must meet. These are very important to be able to develop them clearly and apply them in the company.

• They must be part of the company’s strategies and fall under the umbrella of the main or general objectives.
• Second, they must be measurable. This means that they must allow their expression in monetary units, production units, etc.
• Related to the previous one, they must be expressed in periods of time. In this way, certain compliance deadlines have to be given. In the final example we will see some cases.
• They should be realistic but, in turn, pose a challenge. This feature is one of the most important. We have to be down to earth, but allow ourselves to fly a bit.
• They must be written clearly and specifically. An ambiguous or too generic objective cannot be specific.
• They must allow orderly stages in the short and medium term. In this way, they can be related on a schedule.

Examples of specific objectives

Let’s see some examples of what specific objectives are and are not:

• If the company decides that it must grow next year, it is not a specific objective, because it is not measurable. It could be a general one.
• The company decides that it must grow 5%. Nor is it, since there is no time period. In fact, this would not be a goal.
• The company decides that it must produce with lower costs. This could also be a general guideline, which should be developed indicating how much this saving should be.
• The company decides that it is going to increase the workforce by 10% within two years to meet the increased demand. Also, make a detailed hiring plan. This would be a specific objective, since it meets the requirements of being measurable, having a period of time for its fulfillment and being able to develop in stages.