Goal Setting and Achievement Using the COST³ Method

Goal setting is usually an annual process that everyone goes through
and then promptly forgets about, until the end of the year when they drag it out to include in the performance review. It’s time consuming and rarely seems to get much on-going attention. Yet, defining goals and achieving them is necessary for a successful personal career as well for companies.

How do we make the goal setting process REALLY useful? We propose that a simple process with clearly defined steps, that are easy to define and measure, will make it possible to monitor and achieve the goals. We call the process COST³.

What is COST³ and why would this process help me and/or my company be more successful?

C = Challenges (some say goals)
O = Outcomes (some say objectives)
S = Solutions (what are the possible ways to make your desired outcomes a reality?)
T = Tactics (the ways you need to go about actually doing what you need to achieve the goal)
T = Tools (the specific technical items you need)
T = Timing (what do you have to do and when to make sure you stay on track)

Let’s examine why this approach may help you and your company be more successful.

You can define the challenges you (or your company) face and what you would like the situation to really look like. You can probably come up with some possible solutions (either by yourself or though some brainstorming with people around you). This is where most people falter. They get through the conceptual part but don’t more forward to actually implementing the plan.

Think of the COS portion as the thinking or philosophical part. (The concepts part.) Now shift your thinking to the ‘action” part. Define the Tactics, Tools and Timing necessary to implement and make this all work. This is the part that takes the most time and effort. If you spend the time planning, defining and setting time deadlines then you’ll know exactly what you need to do and when.

If you are willing to work your way through these steps you’ll not only achieve your goals but the results for the company will help you move from a Good Company to a Great Company.

Give us a call. Let us help you and your company move from talk to action.