Goal Setting 7

[UtilityLouie]

I'll tell you what...

I've been doing project work for 20 years and every year it's the same:

***Email from manager***
"It's goal setting time! Set your goals for the next year please and make sure they are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely)"
***/end email***

What I invariably do is make my goals a couple of projects I'm on with the deliverables being the measurable items associated with them, but doing this leaves me feeling "empty".

Goal setting shouldn't be just "doing what I'm supposed to do in my job". It's supposed to be growing, learning amd expanding yourself. With the weight of project work I typically see every year, figuring out some "attainable" self improvement goals is next to impossible. I don't have enough time to finish my project work.

My question to fellow members:

Any suggestions?

Ideas?

Thoughts?

Your input is appreciated.

 

[MintJulep]

If what you have been doing every year works within the system in terms of getting some sort of raise, not getting chastised for not meeting your goals, allowing your manager to check off "goals set" and "goals achieved" on his review form for you, etc. then don't change.

If you want to set yourself more lofty goals for your personal satisfaction, keep them private.

 

[KENAT]

I don't think I can say it much better than Mint. This kind of goal setting is mundane management/HR nonsense to be tolerated and if possible twisted in your favor, or at least mitigated to minimize the harm it can do to your standing come review time next year.

If you want some real personal goals go ahead and set them for your self, maybe even discuss with your direct boss if you get on well, but don't let it get written up into this type of HR nonsense.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[IRstuff]

You've been doing it for 20 yrs; why is this year any different?

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I hate that time of year - pretty much all BS - both from the manager and the employee...

Upper Management sets the raise rates - say 3% - mostly everybody gets it - unless they are total screw ups. So why waste the time??

 

[lacajun]

I agree with the others. I used to have to do that and found it to be a complete waste of time.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[TenPenny]

Yes, you're running the risk of confusing personal goals (growth etc) with the sort of measureable uselessness that someone in management thinks is important.

At work, the important thing is to set goals so that you can accomplish what you want - which is usually higher pay. Figure out how the system works, and use it to maximize what you can put in your pocket. I can guarantee you that this is what your bosses are doing.

 

[SNORGY]

Could be worse...

They could be asking you to develop One Page Plans, synergizing them with the Corporate One Page Plans, getting you to identify your BHAGS (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), and keeping five of your Big Rocks on your desk.

I kept six Big Rocks on my desk until I drank one of them. Now I keep the remaining five of them in my desk. HR has advised me to not mention that in my One Page Plan, unless I want to be escorted out by a BHAG (Big Hag).

Don't know where "management science" dreams up all this stuff, but engineers tend to view it in a similar light.

Life was simpler when bosses or "managers" knew what they wanted you to do, told you to do it, and then when you did it, they gave you money.

 

[SNORGY]

OK I suppose one could give them what they want...

It is difficult on an individual level, but if you are in a supervisory role or a team leader of sorts, you can probably state what you hope your team is to accomplish. Team objectives are easier to define.

 

[EngAddict]

It is difficult on an individual level, but if you are in a supervisory role or a team leader of sorts, you can probably state what you hope your team is to accomplish. Team objectives are easier to define.

Isn't that why they say don't work with children or animals, you can tell them what to do, persuade them or even try to force them but they may not do what you wan't. If your measurable goals are reliant on other people doing their jobs properly, regardless of how you conduct your work, then I would be worried about leaving it in their hands. Even good managers can have bad staff to work with, no matter how many management strategies you try to employ to improve the situation.

Even as a manager I would try to keep most of my goals and KPIs separate from the teams goals. However some of them will always be one and the same when in management. Depends on the management objectives (business or technical) and the company.

 

[Kwan]

I agree that the goal setting is cooked up busy work, nonsense, BS, etc. However, it should be taken serious because I believe HR/management will use this against you (read as: selecting layoff candidates). It is NOT used for your benefit. Think of it as ammunition that can be used againt you.

My suggestion is to state goals that you will automatically accomplish throughout the year. Do not create a lofty goal that you have to try to wrap up at the end of the year.

I think most companies will have you score yourself. So always use the highest score for each goal. It's fun to see which ones they knock down (because, of course, no one can make a perfect score).

I enjoy telling the boss that goals are useless, busy work, etc every year. He just shakes his head and says, "Yeah, I known, but HR makes us do this".

 

[ilovechickens]

Man I thought it was jus my company that made us do that rubbish. Our company has it sorted, we all wait for our managers to set their goals, and then they wait for their managers to set their goals, and then we are expected to make it the same, "so our corporate goals are aligned".

In reality it meams the managers achieve their goals if we achieve ours, and they get the big bonus and pay rise and we keep on slogging away.

Every year I ask my manager, why do I fill in the goals when I have to wait for yours anyway - why don't you just fill in the goals for eveyone and just get us to sign a piece of paper?........

This year my goal is to work only 20 hours a week - that is S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) and if I can achieve it I get a bonus, Yippee.

 

[vthomidis]

After all BA, management, HR etc. guys and gals do need something to justify their wages don't they?

If they don't ask for such type of BS, what else would there
be for them to try to prove they are of any use at all ?

 

[DRWeig]

Thank you Snorgy. You saved me typing a very similar rant.

Good on ya,

Goober Dave

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[lacajun]

We had to set personal goals and project goals that meshed with Corporate goals. Sometimes I didn't meet my goals on projects because others didn't fulfill their part. Management did not use that against me because they knew what was going on and who wasn't doing their part. They checked performance by talking to other managers. In that way, I was blessed.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[SKPA]

Hi,

I think here integration is very important. Any of us could have a goal for our different aspects of our life let say our family, work, financial, education, learning and so on. But to be successful integration is very important. In case of work, if we could be able to integrate our personal goal in different aspects like professorial development, team development, health and safety and make it integrated with the project organizational goals or the organizational goals then it would be a success.

Regards,

SKPA

 

[MikeHalloran]

My short experience with goal setting was mostly positive.

It was introduced with some fanfare as what turned out to be part of another orbit of the drain.

I set three goals, and accomplished two of them. Got the forms signed, and forgot about it.

Then I got downsized.

A year later, I got a check in the mail.
I called Payroll to inquire why.
I had forgotten about the goal setting program,
and that since money was involved,
it was administered by Payroll,
which kept it honest.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[hokie66]

Some ideas for your "goals". Feel free to use any which fit your situation.

http://search.dilbert.com/comic/Goals

 

[ctopher]

From my experience the goals I came up with each year were modified by my bosses to stay inline with theirs. Then I ended up with a different boss.
Therefore, all were a waist of time.

Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[berkshire]

Cris,
Was that a pinched waist?
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor