1. Objectives should be understandable:
In order for a company to establish a business objective, it must
first understand where it stands and where it has been. It then
determines what its goals are and how it will attain them.
Once the objectives are set, it must be properly understood by the
team members because it helps in proper implementation for achievement
of the objectives.
The business objectives should be made in an understandable way. This
helps in communicating your objectives to your investors, employees,
partners etc. Without this communication of business objectives, it
becomes very difficult to reach them.
2. Objectives should be measurable:
Objectives of an organisation must be measurable. Unless the
objectives are set the organisation will not be able to compare the
actual performance with the planned target. Objectives give the business
a clearly defined target.
It also enables the business to measure the progress towards to its
stated aims. To avoid this, organisation must state the objectives that
are capable of being measured in terms of performance.
3. Hierarchy of objectives:
Hierarchy means level. Business objectives are structured according
to its hierarchy. All the objectives are not equally important. It
should be achieved according to its priority and importance. The most
important objective should be achieved first.
For example:
In a hierarchy survival of a business firm comes first following growth and then the prestige and goodwill.
4. Multiplicity of objectives:
Business does not have a single objective. They are multiple in
natures. The primary objective of every business is profit followed with
customer satisfaction. Business also has objectives towards society
that comprises of employees, shareholders, creditors, government etc.
Business objectives are classified as organic objectives, economic
objectives, social objectives, human objectives and national objectives.
5. Achievable:
Business goals must be achievable. The organisation should frame
those goals, which can be achieved taking into consideration its
capabilities and resources. The objective must be feasible enough to
keep team members motivated to strive towards its achievement. While
setting the objectives, the organisation must concentrate on the
limitations also.
6. Objectives should be specific:
Objectives must be specific in terms of time, quality and quantity.
Specific objectives help in the accomplishment of those objectives in
the specified time frame and resource availability. If the objectives
are specific it gives precise results.
Specific objectives help in understanding the objectives in the
correct manner. Specific objectives help the firm to understand where
they stand with respect to the completion of the objective.
7. Quantitative and Qualitative:
Objectives can be expressed in quantitative and qualitative terms
i.e. volume, number or value terms, increase in sales, market share,
rate of production etc. are the examples of quantitative objectives.
Some objectives are qualitative in nature such as goodwill, worker's job
satisfaction etc.
8. Flexible:
Flexibility means, 'that keeps on changing'. Business objectives
should be flexible. It must not be rigid. Business environment keeps on
changing. Therefore the objectives should be changed or modified
according to the changing situation. The objectives must be able to
reframe in the light of changes in the environment.