Setting SMART objectives and exercising management control 2 of the 6 key functions of the effective manager

In my last blog I stated that at People Based Solutions we believe that those individuals who lead the organisation must also manage it.  I suggested that organisations need effective management every bit as much as they needed Adaptable Leaders  Mangers ensure that while undertaking the highly volatile business of the organisation, there is predictability and order.

I outlined the 6 key functions of the effective manager:

      1.      They set SMART objectives

2.      They stay in control

3.      They understand and manage risk

4.      They operate a balanced scorecard

5.      They create a “golden thread”

6.      They plan for tomorrow.

In this blog I will deal with how effective Mangers set SMART objectives and exercise managerial control to help them manage more effectively.

Setting SMART objectives

Much has been written about SMART objectives, i.e. objective that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound,  but that doesn’t alter the fact that effective managers do set SMART objectives to ensure the organisation achieves its mission.

·         Effective managers set specific objectives that are clear and unambiguous.  Specific objectives state clearly what must be done, who will be doing it, where it will be done and when it will be done by.

·         They set measurable objectives that have concrete criteria for assessing progress toward completion.

·         The objectives they set for themselves and others are attainable and realistic.   Attainable objectives may be challenging, but they are achievable. 

·         They set objectives that seen as relevant.  Relevant objectives are meaningful, and can be seen to contribute to the achievement of the overall purpose of the organisation. These objectives are perceived as worthwhile, and ensure the organisation is doing the right things at the right time.

·         Effective managers do not set open ended objectives.  They set objectives that are time bound.  These objectives set concrete deadlines for when tasks must be accomplished.

Exercising management control

Effective managers don’t set SMART objectives and then stand to one side and watch events unfold (or more likely unravel).    Having set SMART objectives which will define amongst other things what is to be done, when it must be done by and who is responsible for doing it.    Having set the objectives, effective managers then measure and assess actual performance.  Having measured and understood actual performance, this is compared to planned performance.  When what was planned hasn’t happened, the reasons why are investigated and the causes for the difference are understood.   

What defines the effective manager is having carried out the analysis, they then take corrective action:

·         If performance targets are not being reached, they find out why and sort it out.

·         If budgets are being overspent they identify the cause and take action to bring the budget back on line.

Effective managers set targets that are clear relevant, and quantifiable.  Having set these targets, they monitor performance and intervene when goals may not be achieved.

Having set SMART objectives and exercised control, they do four other things which make them stand out as effective managers:

·         They understand and manage risk

·         They operate a balanced scorecard

·         They create a “golden thread”

·         They plan for tomorrow.

 I will be blogging about these four functions in the coming weeks.

This article has been posted by Sean McCann, the Managing Director of People Based Solutions an HR consultancy specialising in Management Development. If you would like to know more about the Effective Manager Programme, either public courses or in house for your organisation contact us at:

enquiries@peoplebasedsolutions.com