Writing specific, measurable performance objectives
Performance objectives are specific activities/tasks you will complete that can be quantified and measured to document you have accomplished your project goals. They are tangible results you can use that indicate your project was a success. Below are some examples of poor objectives and good objectives. Note that specific ones can be measured through data collection or observation. See examples below.
Conservation Education Examples
Academic programs to provide educational opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students in the GCRCD Council area.
Agricultural/Forestry Projects
Aquaculture/Aquaponics
Environmental Programs
Educational Greenhouses
Livestock Programs
Outdoor Classrooms
Water Quality
Agricultural/Forestry Projects
Aquaculture/Aquaponics
Environmental Programs
Educational Greenhouses
Livestock Programs
Outdoor Classrooms
Water Quality
Vague, unmeasurable performance objectives Specific, measurable performance objectives
Learn about the environment .............................................................List the main parts of an ecosystem
Understand aquaculture.......................................................................Demonstrate how to set up a filtration system
Teach students about livestock...........................................................Identify the correct feed for cows
Build an outdoor classroom.................................................................Explain the process of photosynthesis
Measure water quality...........................................................................Test for dissolved oxygen and turbidity
Know about farming..............................................................................Analyze soil for pH
Learn about the environment .............................................................List the main parts of an ecosystem
Understand aquaculture.......................................................................Demonstrate how to set up a filtration system
Teach students about livestock...........................................................Identify the correct feed for cows
Build an outdoor classroom.................................................................Explain the process of photosynthesis
Measure water quality...........................................................................Test for dissolved oxygen and turbidity
Know about farming..............................................................................Analyze soil for pH
Community Development Examples
Projects that improve the quality of life for local communities within the GCRCD Council area.
Health Initiatives
Recreational Facilities
Safety Programs
Volunteer Fire Departments
Vague, unmeasurable performance objectives Specific, measurable performance objectives
Help senior citizens exercise.................................................................Create a set of 10 exercises with directions
Teach students about fire safety...........................................................Demonstrate the correct way to douse a fire
Buy exercise equipment..........................................................................Buy 5 treadmills, 3 pull-up bars, 1 elliptical
Help VFDs....................................................................................................Buy 3 sets if turn-out gear, 5 radios
Health Initiatives
Recreational Facilities
Safety Programs
Volunteer Fire Departments
Vague, unmeasurable performance objectives Specific, measurable performance objectives
Help senior citizens exercise.................................................................Create a set of 10 exercises with directions
Teach students about fire safety...........................................................Demonstrate the correct way to douse a fire
Buy exercise equipment..........................................................................Buy 5 treadmills, 3 pull-up bars, 1 elliptical
Help VFDs....................................................................................................Buy 3 sets if turn-out gear, 5 radios
Resource Conservation Examples
Projects for conserving and using the natural resources in the GCRCD Council area.
Accessibility to Water Resources
Environmental Enhancement
Erosion Control
Pollinator Species Enhancement
Water Quality
Vague, unmeasurable performance objectives Specific, measurable performance objectives
Stop erosion in the park.........................................................................Install a 30' underground drainage pipe
Give people more access to water......................................................Construct a 20' x 50' boat ramp
Get plastic out of water..........................................................................Install a trash boom in ______creek at _______.
Have more bees in Baldwin County....................................................Build and install 10 hives at _________farm.
Accessibility to Water Resources
Environmental Enhancement
Erosion Control
Pollinator Species Enhancement
Water Quality
Vague, unmeasurable performance objectives Specific, measurable performance objectives
Stop erosion in the park.........................................................................Install a 30' underground drainage pipe
Give people more access to water......................................................Construct a 20' x 50' boat ramp
Get plastic out of water..........................................................................Install a trash boom in ______creek at _______.
Have more bees in Baldwin County....................................................Build and install 10 hives at _________farm.
By writing specific, measurable objectives you will have well-defined activities and tasks for your project. It will also be a more effective way to communicate your plans for what you will accomplish in your project. In addition, specific objectives will make your evaluation and measuring your success more precise. Some specific objective words to describe project activities and tasks are the following:
Align Design Plan
Analyze Differentiate Plant
Arrange Explain Prepare
Arrange Formulate Produce
Assemble Identify Reconstruct
Assemble Illustrate Recruit
Build Implement Recycle
Calculate Improve Reduce
Collaborate Increase Replicate
Combine Inspect Revise
Compare Install Select
Comply Justify Set up
Compose Manage Simplify
Construct Measure State
Coordinate Merge Support
Create Modify Train
Demonstrate Operate Transform
Describe Perform Translate
Align Design Plan
Analyze Differentiate Plant
Arrange Explain Prepare
Arrange Formulate Produce
Assemble Identify Reconstruct
Assemble Illustrate Recruit
Build Implement Recycle
Calculate Improve Reduce
Collaborate Increase Replicate
Combine Inspect Revise
Compare Install Select
Comply Justify Set up
Compose Manage Simplify
Construct Measure State
Coordinate Merge Support
Create Modify Train
Demonstrate Operate Transform
Describe Perform Translate