Having a long term vision:

Understanding Vision, Goal,

Objectives, Outcomes
Aftab Ahmed Awan
Session Objectives
 Understanding the importance of having
long term vision
 Understanding the key concepts of
Vision, Goal, objectives, outcomes
 Ability to differentiate different
statements
 Ability to develop statements of goal,
objectives etc. for own programs

Vision
 A vision is an image seen in the
imagination or in a dream, a conception
of the future based on a wish or
aspiration. An effective vision is one that
stirs the imagination, conjures up
emotional, primitive responses, looks
beyond the barriers and constraints and
is a statement of ambitious aspirations -
a description of the ideal situation.
Vision of an organization
 For an organization vision usually takes
the form of a brief description of the ideal
state. It is a present-tense statement that
communicates where that organization
believes it will be within a stated time
period.3 However, due to its idealistic
nature, it may in fact never be realized by
the organization. Rather, the vision should
serve to inspire the organization to move
towards the ideal state
Why to have a vision
 A powerful vision provides everyone in the
organization with a shared mental framework that
helps give form to the often abstract future that
lies ahead. Effective visions provide a word picture
of what the organization intends ultimately to
become - which may be five, ten, or fifteen years
in the future. This statement should not be
abstract - it should contain as concrete a picture
of the desired state as possible, and also provide
the basis for formulating strategies and objectives
 

 “vision without action is only a

daydream. Action without
vision is a nightmare”
 (Japanese proverb)
Goal/Purpose
 A goal or purpose is a projected
state of affairs that a person or a
system plans or intends to achieve—
a personal or organizational desired
end-point in some sort of assumed
development. We endeavor to reach
goals within a finite time by setting
SMARTER Objectives
Goal/Purpose (Cont..)
 Goals are broad and often are
matched with national policy
targets. A single project can not
achieve the national targets, it
can only contribute in the
achievement of national targets
Caution !!!
Beware of the terms:


 increase decrease improve



…when used on their own, they are too



vague to be measurable
Objectives
 Objectives are brief clear
statements that describe the
desired outcomes of the
intervention or project i.e. specific
targets that a project should
achieve that reflect the broader
goal.
Difference between goals and
objectives
 Both goals and objectives use
the language of outcomes – the
characteristic which distinguishes
goals from objectives is the level
of specificity. Goals express
intended outcomes in general
terms and objectives express
them in specific terms.
SMARTER Objectives
 Objectives Should Be SMARTER
 SMARTER is an acronym, that is, a word
composed by joining letters from different
words in a phrase or set of words. In this case, a
SMARTER goal or objective is:
 Specific:

 For example, it's difficult to know what

someone should be doing if they are to pursue the
goal to "work harder". It's easier to recognize
"Write a paper".
SMARTER (cont..2)
 Measurable:
 It's difficult to know what the scope of "Writing a paper"
really is. It's easier to appreciate that effort if the goal is
"Write a 30-page paper".
 Acceptable/Applicable:
 If I'm to take responsibility for pursuit of a goal, the goal
should be acceptable to me. For example, I'm not likely to
follow the directions of someone telling me to write a 30-
page paper when I also have to five other papers to write.
However, if you involve me in setting the goal so I can
change my other commitments or modify the goal, I'm much
more likely to accept pursuit of the goal as well.

SMARTER (Cont..3)
 Realistic:

 Even if I do accept responsibility to pursue a goal that is specific

and measurable, the goal won't be useful to me or others if, for
example, the goal is to "Write a 30-page paper in the next 10
seconds".

 Time bound:

 It may mean more to others if I commit to a realistic goal to

"Write a 30-page paper in one week". However, it'll mean more to
others (particularly if they are planning to help me or guide me to
reach the goal) if I specify that I will write one page a day for 30 days,
rather than including the possibility that I will write all 30 pages in
last day of the 30-day period.
SMARTER (Cont..4)
 Extending:
 The goal should stretch the performer's
capabilities. For example, I might be more interested in
writing a 30-page paper if the topic of the paper or the
way that I write it will extend my capabilities.
 Rewarding:
 I'm more inclined to write the paper if the paper
will contribute to an effort in such a way that I might be
rewarded for my effort.
Outcomes
Definition: Refer to what is ultimately
achieved by an activity, as distinct
from its outputs which relate to more
direct or immediate objectives. Thus,
the outcome of the training workshop
conducted by the PAIMAN may be
development of individual
organizational exit strategies whilst
one of the outputs could be the
number of people trained in the
workshop it is often difficult to
measure outcomes