How do I set clear goals and KPIs for my team?

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Setting clear goals and KPIs

Good goals are specific, measurable, and tied to business outcomes. KPIs should be few, actionable, and owned by individuals or teams.

Goal-setting steps:

  • Start with company-level objectives for the quarter or year.
  • Cascade goals to teams with clear alignment and measurable KPIs.
  • Use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Choosing KPIs

  • Limit to 3–5 KPIs per team to prevent distraction.
  • Ensure KPIs drive desired behaviors (e.g., retention, not vanity metrics).
  • Pair leading indicators (activity) with lagging indicators (results).

Practical process

  1. Hold a planning session to agree on priorities and owners.
  2. Publish the goals and review them weekly or monthly.
  3. Use dashboards to make progress visible and actionable.

Ownership and review

Assign a single owner for each KPI and review progress in regular stand-ups. Use missed targets as learning opportunities and adjust tactics quickly.