Goals and objectives

Goals are statements about the general aim of the program. They are broad, long-range, and are the intended outcomes of programs or initiatives.

Objectives are aimed at the same results as the goals but describe them in a lot more detail. Each objective should be linked to a goal. Objectives should

• describe the outcome rather than the process of getting there;
• have just one outcome per objective;
• be realistic and able to be achieved;
• be measurable.

Strategies are the actions taken to achieve the objectives.

Goals for a literacy program could include the following:

• identifying low literacy clients
• clear communications written in plain language
• staff trained in recognizing and working with low literacy clients
• evaluation and monitoring program

Each tribunal has to rank its goals in order of importance in its particular situation. Communications and training are large areas and we will deal with them in the next two sections.

The following is a sample action plan for one of the goals with five objectives.