HomeMy WebLinkAboutE. Goal Setting Process FY 16-171 | Page Setting Goals and Determining Priorities
S •Specific - The desired outcome or results are clearly defined.
M
•Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the
attainment of each goal set.
A •Achievable - The goal is challenging, but realistic given time and resources.
R
•Relevant - The goal is aligned with team/department/city objectives and
direction.
T •Time Bound - Deadlines are set for accomplishment.
SETTING GOALS AND DETERMINING PRIORITIES
The goal-setting process assists policy leaders in developing a future focus, discuss issues and opportunities facing the
community, set strategic directions and determine priorities. City Council goal setting also provides a clear message to
City Staff as to what the City Council aims to accomplish in the upcoming planning period. Additionally, goal setting can
provide valuable direction for developing the annual budget and capital improvements program, allocating Staff resources
and other important City functions.
PROCESS
A “typical” council goal-setting session could include the following components:
Review of recent major accomplishments;
Identification and discussion of issues, concerns, trends and opportunities that may affect future City services,
programs, policies, finances or operations;
Identification of on-going priorities;
Identification and discussion of significant programs, policies, projects or initiatives that the City should consider
in the next few years;
Selection of priorities for upcoming 12-24 month period by elected officials;
Discussion of ways to improve teamwork and decision-making; and
Implementation planning
What are Goals? Goals are general statements. They are the points toward which a community works. Because they are
general in nature, they do not typically include any form of measurement.
USING SMART GOALS
Many cities use SMART Goals when setting strategic direction and determining priorities. SMART goal setting brings
structure and trackability into your goals and objectives. Instead of vague resolutions, SMART goal setting creates
verifiable trajectories towards a certain objective, with clear milestones and an estimation of the goal's attainability
"To fail to plan is to plan to fail."
-Benjamin
Franklin
INFORMATION ITEM
PRESENTED 9/6/2016
Special Meeting
2 | Page Setting Goals and Determining Priorities
SETTING PRIORITIES
Setting priorities may be the most important step in the goal setting process. Inevitably, goal setting results in more
objectives to accomplish than is possible in the time available, so you have to set priorities. With a clear sense of what yo u
want to accomplish and what kind of resources it will take to do it, you can decide which strategies will get this years’
time, attention and money. Money is often a key factor in determining priorities. But because you want to be certain that
you pay attention to the most important goals, not just the most affordable ones, you may want to try to leave the money
issue out until after the priorities have been set - focusing first on what is critical, and then determining how resources can
be allocated to meet those needs.
PRIORITY LEVELS
Highest-Priority Issues (Red Dot)
Those issues which take precedence over all other issues.
High-Priority Issues (Yellow Dot)
Essential issues which need to be completed in a timely manner after allocating resources to the highest-priority
issues.
Priority Issues (Green Dot)
Those issues which warrant significant Staff support, but are not as time-sensitive as the highest or high-priority
issues.
Other Issues (Blue Dot)
Important issues which need to be addressed as resources become available.
Low Priority Issues (Orange Dot)
Issues which have been identified as beneficial but not essential or necessary in terms of allocating available
resources.
What are Objectives? Objectives are more specific. Each goal may have any number of objectives. Objectives begin to
provide the specifics of how the goal will be achieved. Objectives should be measurable so that you can determine and
document success.
NEXT STEPS
After this Study Session, the following steps will take place:
1. Executive Team will meet to review the City Council adopted FY 2016-2017 Citywide Top Priorities and develop
specific objectives for each goal.
2. Another Study Session will be scheduled with the City Council to review objectives, identify potential budget
impacts and assign responsibilities for approved Top Priorities and their objectives.
3. City Council will consider proposed projects/programs necessary to achieve Top Priorities as part of the FY 2016-
17 budget process.
4. Staff will submit a Citywide Goals & Objectives Update Report to City Council in January 2017.