Well-formed Outcomes

Research has shown that there are some key properties which make goals and outcomes most effective – or well defined. Any goal that you set should fit these conditions.

• State in the positive and present – What do you want? (Not what you don’t want!). Write it in the present tense as if you have already achieved it (I am …….)

• Own it – Define the outcome in terms of things that are within your control. What you will do to achieve it (not what other people will do)

• Describe in the senses – Describe vividly what you will see, hear and feel when you have achieved your outcome.

• Maintain the positives of the current situation – There will be some positive aspects of what you have now and you should design your outcome to maintain these.

• Be Ecological – What you do will impact others and you should recognise what impact your outcome will have on others

• Specify what resources you need – What time, money, skills, beliefs, experience, advice will you need?

When you define an outcome, you should go through each of these conditions in as structured and rigorous way.