If you can’t measure it or move it, it’s not an objective; it’s wishful thinking.
The SMART Approach and Beyond
Once strategic intents are clear, the next step is to define transport objectives that guide actions, allocate resources, and set the stage for monitoring progress.
However, not all objectives are created equal. Poorly written objectives lead to confusion, misaligned actions, and difficult evaluations.
In this article, you’ll learn how to craft strong, actionable objectives using SMART criteria but also moving beyond them.
1. Types of Transport Objectives
Transport objectives can focus on different levels of planning and delivery. Being aware of these distinctions helps match the right objective to the right context.
Input Objectives – What is invested or resourced. Example: “Allocate $20 million for bus corridor upgrades.”
Output Objectives – What is produced or implemented. Example: “Install 15 new pedestrian crossings.”
Outcome Objectives – What changes as a result. Example: “Reduce travel time by 10% on key corridors.”
Impact Objectives – Long-term societal changes. Example: “Improve access to jobs within 30 minutes for 85% of residents.”
2. Writing Effective Objectives
The gold standard for objective-setting is the SMART model:
- Specific – Clear and focused
- Measurable – Quantifiable or verifiable
- Achievable – Realistic given constraints
- Relevant – Aligns with strategic priorities
- Time-bound – Includes a deadline
Example: Weak: “Improve public transport.”
SMART: “Increase bus frequency on Route 20 to every 10 minutes during peak hours by July 2025.”
Alternatives can also be useful:
- CLEAR (Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable) Good for agile environments
- FAST (Frequently discussed, Ambitious, Specific, Transparent) – Designed for strategic alignment and shared ownership
3. Common Objective-Writing Traps
Avoid these pitfalls:
- Vanity Metrics – Impressive-looking but uninformative. (e.g., “Launch campaign” vs. “Increase active travel trips by 15%.”)
- Duplication – Multiple objectives that overlap, confusing effort allocation.
- Unrealistic Targets – Goals set without data or feasibility analysis.
- Action without Outcome – Objectives that track activities but not results.
4. Linking Objectives to Planning Priorities
Every objective should relate to a specific mode, corridor, geography, or initiative. This anchors the strategy in delivery:
- Mode-specific: “Increase cycling mode share in inner suburbs by 2028.”
- Corridor-focused: “Reduce congestion on the East–West arterial by 20%.”
- Place-based: “Improve transport accessibility in growth area precincts.”
- Initiative-driven: “Achieve 85% customer satisfaction for the new light rail rollout.”
Tip: Tie outcome objectives to problem statements for coherence and traceability.
Prompt Pack: AI-Supported Drafting
Try these prompts to refine your objectives:
- “Rewrite this into a SMART transport objective.”
- “Is this objective measurable and actionable?”
- “Does this target reflect an outcome or just an activity?”
- “Suggest a better indicator for this transport goal.”
Conclusion
Clear, measurable objectives are the cornerstone of a credible strategy. With good objectives, teams can focus, partners can align, and progress can be tracked, setting the foundation for the next critical task: mapping the logic between objectives, actions, and outcomes.
Summary: What You’ve Learned
- Effective objectives are the backbone of any actionable strategy; they clarify intent and guide delivery.
- You can structure objectives using models like SMART, FAST, and CLEAR, depending on context and audience.
- Strong objectives are measurable, specific, and tied to strategic intent; not vague aspirations.
- Watch out for vanity metrics, duplication, or objectives without a path to action.