Plan development: Writing measurable and objective goals and outcomes

Goals and objectives or expected outcomes are critical to effective plan development. Expected outcomes are the desired results of what persons wish to achieve. Goals are the steps that that are meant to help the person achieve those outcomes.

Goals and expected outcomes are both long-term and short-term. Both are behaviorally stated in terms of the persons will be doing, not the teams. By looking at the natural steps any person would take to achieve a similar outcome and then identifying the specific barriers and strengths the person has in achieving this desired outcome, teams may identify a number of important skills that need to be developed and strategies that can be used.

All goals and expected outcomes are individualized to each person and will change over time. There may not be sufficient information at initial planning meetings to set long-term goals/objectives. This may need to be accomplished later when more information is available.

 

 

 

 

 

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