Hello and thanks for reading,
The casts on setting annual goals were just brilliant and the "MT Goals" seems far simpler and superior to "SMART" goals.
I was wondering if anyone has good resources on example goals for computer programmers.
Particularly if you have set goals with your directs that were very successful. As an example one of my directs set a goal to obtain Java Sun Certification by a given date and she did.
Do you have any good programmer goals you would be willing to share?
Cheers.
Programmer goals
I recommend developing goals the same way you would do it for non-programmers.
First, identify the desired behavior or work product. What do you want them to achieve? How do you want them to behave? This is the critical step. If you are fuzzy about the outcome, you'll get fuzzy results. Remember that you are using goals to influence future behavior; you might just get exactly what you asked for (which might not be what you wanted).
Second, identify the measure. How do you know when they have achieved the goal? What event signals the satisfaction of the goal?
Third, quantify the standard for the expected behavior or work product. What is the due date? What is the maximum number of times that he/she can be late with the XYZ report?
Some examples I have seen:
1) Deliver the unit-tested ABC code to the integration team by 7/1/10. Relevant bug reports updated through the "implemented" state before delivery, all updated documentation checked into the library.
2) Deliver a draft Software Development Plan 30 days before Preliminary Design Review (per the appoved program schedule).
3) Complete analysis phase of 100% of assigned anomaly reports with 30 days of assignment. Analysis to be entered into bug tracking system, and the anomaly report state transitioned to "ready for implementation".
Roger