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Summary

7 December, 2015 - 10:34

Management by objectives is not a cure-all. Its shortcomings have been due to the way it has been implemented. It must be developed as a method of managing, fully supported in an active manner by top management. It should not be thought of as a paper mill in which everything is reduced to writing. The emphasis, strangely enough, should not be on the objectives.

Implementing a program of management by objectives can improve employee productivity if it is seen as a way of getting workers to take more responsibility tor controlling their actions as they move toward achieving company goals.

Employees can be involved in helping determine what is really important in fulfilling their jobs and in setting standards they should adhere to in order to perform their jobs well.

Once types of behavior are defined and observed, managers can sit down in an open atmosphere with the employees they supervise to highlight their key strengths and the areas that need improvement. Future improvement is ensured through an ongoing program of coaching.

Properly implemented, an MBO program will let employees know what they are responsible for while increasing their commitment to higher goals.