How will you know “when you have arrived”? How will you measure progress in improving the donor experience? What does success look like for the donor and their goals? When will we know that we have transformed our nonprofit?
We all want concrete criteria for what success looks like in our transformation efforts. To be effective as digital executives, our teams need to how progress will be measured. SMART goals are always measurable. Measuring progress will help a team stay on track, reach its target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs it on to continued effort required to reach the ultimate goal.
A measurable transformation goal will usually answer questions such as:
- How much transformation should we achieve?
- How many initiatives should we tackle?
- How will I know when it is accomplished?
Indicators should be quantifiable. Measurable goals are important for several reasons.
- Motivation is increased.
- Weaknesses will be uncovered.
- Problems will be reduced.
- Stronger teams will be created.
- Value for teams and individuals is demonstrated.
It is the leader’s responsibility to make sure that goals are specific and measurable. Anyone, however, can ask the right questions to gain clarification if they are not. If the requirements aren’t clear or constraints identified, it is our responsibility to make sure the goal is restated to make if very measurable.
Here are the key ideas:
- Make sure the goal is very specific and can be measured.
- Once you think you have it measurable, rework it again to take it to the next level.
- Recognize that the measurable goal is probably a “lagging indicator” and begin to think about the 2 or 3 strategic levers that will produce the right outcome.
Measurable Goal
Digital Business