There is a line of thought that there are three types of target:
1. Fact of life targets
If you don’t meet these targets you simply don’t qualify:
- To be a world-class 100 meter sprinter you have to run sub 10 seconds
- If you want to stay in business you have to sell enough to cover your costs
- To ride a roller coaster you must be at least five feet tall
They are simply the facts of life; the target lets you know where you stand.
2. Design targets
Targets that help you specify a goal:
- The new rail service should get commuters into London by 8:30am
- A ready meal must microwave in under 3 minutes
- A new engine needs to achieve 40 miles per gallon
These targets constrain your options and so help shape your work.
3. Arbitrary targets
Targets that are handed down from on high
These are JFDI targets; you don’t get much choice about these.
OK there are nuances
Not all targets are a straight fit into a single category, the world is colourful, not black and white. It is just a line of thought, but it makes me think that…
Some targets are good
Particularly if they:
- Give you a scope
- Let you know what is achievable (Usain Bolt can rest easy in my case at least)
- Help you forecast and plan
But if you are using a target to beat people around the head
If you are busy:
Well then you deserve everything you get
The only problems that have simple solutions are simple problems. The only managers with simple problems are those with simple minds ~ Russ Ackoff
