Module 1/4 28 min
Setting expectations you can measure
Step 1 / 2·Three kinds of expectation and how to write each
0/2 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Write expectations specific enough that both sides read them the same way
- Tell results, behaviours and activities apart
- Agree what 'met' looks like before the year starts
Learn ~14 min
Three kinds of expectation and how to write each
Do not mix all three into one sentence.
Most disputes in a year-end review are not about what happened; they are about what counts as meeting the bar. If the two sides read 'met' differently in January, no amount of data in December will settle it.
Three kinds of expectation
| Kind | Measured by | Well written example |
|---|---|---|
| Result | A number or a completed state | Cut processing time from 5 days to under 3, sustained for 3 consecutive months |
| Behaviour | Observable frequency and situation | In every department meeting, raise at least one risk or challenge when you see a problem |
| Activity | Done or not done | Complete group 2 safety training before 30 June |
An activity is not a result
'Run 4 training sessions' is an activity — once run, it is done, even if nobody learned anything. If what you actually want is a result, write the result: 'after training, spot checks show over 90% following the procedure correctly'.