Exam Preparation: Some Ideas and Suggestions

Editor's Notes

• #24: SMART Objectives – very common in industry and are used extensively for appraisals and form a simple test of whether the objective is truly a good objective.
• #25: Specific – this ties back to the project management module where work breakdown structures where used to split large tasks into much smaller tasks. The aim of doing this allows the objective to be specific. The classic final year PhD student objective is write my PhD. The question of where to start is a difficult one and therefore splitting the task up can make the objective more specific and also achievable within a sensible time frame can help with motivation. Think of other examples of specific objectives. On the previous slide the aim make myself more employable is not at all specific – what is meant by employable !
• #27: Measurable – You need to know when you have finished the objective / completed the task. There is two elements therefore to writing measurable objectives. They should not include words like more – when do you know when you have made more contacts. Is it one or is it a million. The second element relates to actually having something which you can provide as evidence. Therefore deliverables attached to the objective is good (e.g. Short reports) as these can help you prove that you have achieved the objective (this will be important when you start work!).
• #29: Agreed – In the project management sessions we talked about stakeholders and involving them in the project. Setting your objectives and agreeing them with your supervisor is important. This might take some negotiation but it worth doing this as everybody will be committed to the plan. Note that if you ever set objectives for someone else make sure you discuss them with them as setting unachievable objectives for someone can prove a source of conflict.
• #31: Realistic Objectives – It is important that the objectives you set are realistic. All too often people will set very unrealistic objectives and the end result is that the project is not delivered on time, resentment develops within the project stakeholders etc. Furthermore if you are being assessed against the objectives which are set, if they are unrealistic you may not achieve any of them! It is however important to set your self challenging objectives which you could achieve if you apply yourself – these are often referred to as stretch targets and are used to motivate staff.
• #33: Time Bound – It is important that there is an element of time linked to the objective. Again if the objective is open ended when do you when you have achieved the objective. Therefore set yourself deadlines and review yourself against them – don’t let the deadlines slip as the progress of the project overall could be in jeopardy. These can also be a useful time management tool as often people will work on something when little value is being added (80% of the value is provided by 20% of the effort) and a dealine can be used to force you to move on to the next objective.
• #34: Time scales - It is useful to set objectives at multiple levels – one week, one month, 6 months – 1 year. This will let you focus on the big picture as well as on the short-term tasks. A useful technique which can be used to improve your time management is to set weekly SMART objectives to help organise your time. The objectives at a number of timescales can be linked back to the WBS discussed in the project management session – the bottom level tasks may be weekly objectives whilst the higher level tasks are longer term.