The 6 Main Steps in Formulating Project Objectives

Writing clear and compelling project objectives is essential for any NGO project proposal. Objectives are specific goals that your project aims to achieve. They guide your project’s activities and help you measure its success. But before we dive into details, let us first understand what project objectives mean in simple terms. Project objectives are precise statements about what your project aims to accomplish. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Objectives help clarify your project’s goals and provide a basis for evaluation.

We are going to take you through a detailed guide towards formulating compelling objectives that match your project.

Steps to Writing Project Objectives

Identify the Desired Outcomes: before going any further in the journey of formulating your objectives, the first step to take should be to think about what results does your project desire to accomplish. Think about the change you want to see as a result of your project. What are the specific outcomes you aim to achieve?

For example: For a project focused on improving education, a desired outcome might be increased literacy rates among children in rural areas.

Be Specific and Clear: The common mistake that most writers make in this subchapter is writing much detailed, complex and vague language objectives which in turn lack a clear focus of the problem that the project seeks to address.

To avoid this mistake therefore; clearly define each objective. Avoid vague language. Instead of saying “improve education,” specify what aspect of education you will improve. Forexample; “Increase primary school enrollment rates in rural areas by 30% within two years.”

Make Objectives Measurable: If you are writing your objective and you realize it to cover a measurable amount of variables, it is better to include the measurements. This reinforces the focus of your objective since the donor an easily know how your project impact magnitude will look like. Therefore, Include criteria to measure progress. This could be numbers, percentages, or other quantifiable indicators.

For example: “Train 50 local teachers in modern educational techniques and child-centered learning approaches.”

Ensure Objectives are Achievable: Most writers get over excited about the project and increase their expectations and achievement levels beyond measure or beyond their ability to achieve them. This later turns into the inefficiency of the project during or after implementation and mostly, the project lacks sustainability in the long run.

To avoid this, Set realistic goals that you can achieve with the resources and time available. Because overambitious objectives can lead to frustration and failure.

Fr example; “Provide school supplies and learning materials to 500 students in rural areas.”

Keep Objectives Relevant: Relevance does not only apply in objectives only, but everywhere in the entire project proposal. Therefore, always keep every sentence in your proposal relevant to the topic of study. This is something you should seriously consider in your objectives. Make sure each objective aligns with your project’s main goal and the needs of the community you are serving.

For example: “Develop community awareness programs to emphasize the importance of education and increase parental involvement.”

Set a Time Frame: The donor is interested in knowing how long will it take to achieve a given objective. Therefore, you should be kin and accurate in providing the time frame in the bjective. This however varies according to the resources available and the magnitude of the problem the projrct is seeking to address.

To enhance the project timeframe in the objectives, include a clear timeline for when you aim to achieve each objective. This helps in planning and keeps your project on track.

For example: “By the end of the first year, establish three new primary schools in rural areas.”

Detailed Example of Project Objectives

Let’s combine all these elements and some of the examples that have been listed above to create a set of detailed project objectives for an education-focused NGO project.

Project Objectives: Bridging the Education Gap in Rural Communities

Objective 1: Increase Enrollment Rates

Specific: Increase primary school enrollment rates in rural areas.
Measurable: Achieve a 30% increase.
Achievable: Partner with local schools and communities.
Relevant: Addresses the problem of low enrollment.
Time-bound: Within two years.

Objective 2: Improve Quality of Education

Specific: Provide modern teaching aids and resources.
Measurable: Equip 10 schools with necessary educational materials.
Achievable: Collaborate with educational suppliers and donors.
Relevant: Enhances learning experiences.
Time-bound: By the end of the project’s first year.

Objective 3: Train Local Teachers

Specific: Train local teachers in modern educational techniques.
Measurable: Conduct training sessions for 50 teachers.
Achievable: Organize workshops and training programs.
Relevant: Improves teaching quality.
Time-bound: Within the first six months of the project.

Objective 4: Enhance School Infrastructure

Specific: Improve and expand school infrastructure.
Measurable: Renovate existing buildings and construct 5 new classrooms.
Achievable: Work with local contractors and secure funding.
Relevant: Provides better learning environments.
Time-bound: Completed within 18 months.

Tips:

Use Action Verbs: Start each objective with an action verb like “increase,” “provide,” “train,” or “develop.”
Be Concise: Keep objectives clear and to the point.
Align with Goals: Ensure each objective supports the overall goal of your project.
Review and Revise: Regularly review objectives to ensure they remain relevant and achievable.

Conclusion

Writing clear and detailed project objectives is crucial for the success of your NGO project proposal. Objectives provide direction and a basis for evaluating your progress. By following the steps outlined above, you can create SMART objectives that effectively communicate your project’s goals and guide your activities.

Remember, well-defined objectives not only help you stay on track but also make it easier for potential supporters and partners to understand and buy into your project.