4 Criteria for a Meaningful and Worthwhile Strategic Objective

I was facilitating a mastermind of manufacturing executives when we started chatting about strategic plans – and more specifically,  about what makes a strategic objective “good?”  So I offered up my four criteria for a worthwhile strategic objective, and since they scribbled this down in their notes, I thought it might be something worth sharing with you!

For a strategic objective to be meaningful and worthwhile, it should be:

1. Cross-functional.  It should typically cut across functional boundaries. Ideally, it should involve the entire organization. If it belongs entirely to one function, ask whether it truly belongs on the enterprise strategic plan or whether the functional head should simply take care of it. There may be exceptions when a function-specific objective is so critical to achieving the strategy that it deserves enterprise-level strategic attention.
2. Long Term.  It should take more than one year to complete.  If it takes less than one year, it’s likely an operational issue and belongs in your business plan, not your strategic plan, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. For example, a strategically critical technology objective may need to happen within nine months, but it is so darn important to achieving the vision that it deserves to be a stand-alone objective.
3. Inspire Passion.  So you have this strategic objective that everyone knows we should do, but if you don’t have a passionate, committed team willing to do what it takes to make it a reality, then it simply won’t get done.  There will always be something more important that will get in the way.  Make sure your team is passionate and committed to the objective.
4. Directly Connected to the Strategy.  Can people clearly explain how accomplishing this objective advances the strategy? This one sounds rather obvious, but you would be surprised at how many objectives have a rather loose connection to the mission, vision, values, and/or strategic statement. Ask:  “How will accomplishing this specific objective help us achieve our strategy?”  Make sure the team can clearly articulate the connection.

When finalizing your strategic objectives, make sure they meet ALL four criteria – You’ll be well on your way to success!

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KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CPF, CSP is a high stakes meeting facilitator and professional panel moderator.  She’s been facilitating teams of executives and managers in making better decisions and achieving greater results for over 20 years.  She is the author of the award-winning book, Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve and Inspire Audiences to Action.

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[Republished September 2026]