The seventh step of CCB is to create goals and objectives for your initiative that align with the strategies and interventions that were identified earlier.
What is a goal?
A goal is a broad statement that outlines the outcomes you want to achieve [17]. Depending on the project, you may want to set short and long-term goals. Long-term goals can help everyone keep the end goal in mind. Next, for each goal you determine objectives. These will include specific actions and a timeframe to guide you through each step of the process.
What is an objective?
Objectives are specific actions that give a clear understanding of the task/action that needs to be completed to move toward the goal. They are time bound and can be measured to assess program success. One way to develop objectives is using the SMART model. SMART stands for S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Achievable, R – Relevant, and T – Time-bound.
Figure 2. SMART Model
Step 7 – Goal and Objective Settings Example
To align their goal with the identified strategies, Community A set the following goals and objectives.
Short-term Goal: Build the capacity of service providers and family members and/or partners to support pregnant people to have alcohol-free pregnancies by providing supportive, safe community spaces and opportunities.
Long-term Goal: Reduce the prevalence of FASD within Community A.
Objectives:
- Hold a networking event for service providers and community groups to discuss services and events that focus on providing opportunities for support and socializing for pregnant women in the community in June 2023.
- Develop and distribute information that advertises services and events that are available for pregnant people in June 2023.
- Obtain and share evidence-based resources about preventing FASD. Ongoing.
- Hold alcohol-free community events, every two months, starting in August 2023.
Remember to use the SMART model when developing objectives. As an example, we will look at Objective 1.
- Objective 1: Hold a networking event for service providers and community groups to discuss services and events that focus on providing opportunities for support and socializing for pregnant women in the community in June 2023.
- Specific: event, service providers, what they will discuss, when.
- Measurable: # who attend, # who commit to ongoing relationships.
- Attainable: Interest in the community. Long enough timeframe to prepare.
- Relevant: Interest in the community to support pregnancies.
- Time-bound: Event planned for a specific month.