Comprehensive Guide to Goal Setting and

Prioritization
Creating a comprehensive guide to goal setting and prioritization involves several steps
and computations. Let's break down each part of the process, with an emphasis on Goal
Planning, Deployment, Execution, and Monitoring:

1. Goal Identification:
 Example: Achieving a promotion at work.

2. Inventory of Resources:
a. Financial Resources:

 Example: Savings, investments, potential for a salary increase.

 Corollary: Assess your financial stability and ability to invest in resources
necessary for goal achievement.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the importance of financial resources in
achieving the goal (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is highly important, assign
a weight of 8).

b. Physical Resources:

 Example: Office space, equipment.

 Corollary: Evaluate if you have the necessary physical resources or need to
acquire them.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on their importance to the goal (e.g., assign a
weight of 6).

c. Knowledge Resources:

 Example: Relevant skills, training opportunities.

 Corollary: Assess your current knowledge and identify gaps that need to be filled.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the importance of knowledge resources (e.g.,
assign a weight of 9).
d. Social Resources:

 Example: Mentorship, networking contacts.

 Corollary: Determine the extent of your social network and how it can support
your goal.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the importance of social resources (e.g., assign
a weight of 7).

e. Technology Resources:

 Example: Software, tools, access to the internet.

 Corollary: Assess the role of technology in achieving your goal.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the importance of technology resources (e.g.,
assign a weight of 8).

f. Time Resources:

 Example: Available hours per day/week.

 Corollary: Determine how much time you can allocate to working on your goal.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the importance of time resources (e.g., assign a
weight of 10).

g. Threats:

 Example: Potential obstacles or challenges.

 Corollary: Identify potential threats that may hinder your progress.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the perceived threat level (e.g., assign a weight
of 5).

h. Effort:

 Example: The level of dedication and effort you are willing to put in.
 Corollary: Evaluate your commitment and determination.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the effort required (e.g., assign a weight of 9).

i. Overall Impact on Life:

 Example: How achieving the goal will impact your personal and professional life.
 Corollary: Assess the significance of the goal in your life.
 Weight: Assign a weight based on the overall impact (e.g., assign a weight of 9).
3. Define Criteria and Assign Weights:
Several criteria for goal prioritization were mentioned, including Financial Resources
(FR), Physical Resources (PR), Knowledge Resources (KR), Social Resources (SR),
Technology (TE), Effort, and Time. To assign weights to each criterion, you can use a
scale of 1 to 10, where 1 indicates low importance and 10 indicates high importance.

Example and Corollary Explanation:

 FR Weight: 8 (Financial resources are crucial for achieving the goal, e.g., funding a
business venture).
 PR Weight: 5 (Physical resources like equipment and facilities are moderately
important).
 KR Weight: 7 (Knowledge resources are essential, such as education or training).
 SR Weight: 6 (Social resources, like networking, play a significant role but are not
the sole determinant).
 TE Weight: 8 (Technology is vital in today's world, e.g., for online businesses).

4. Calculate Available Time:

You want to calculate the available time per day and per week for goal pursuit. Consider
the following factors for your example:

 Sleep Time: 8 hours per day

 Commute Time: 1 hour per day
 Leisure Time: 2 hours per day
 Working Hours (Full-time job): 8 hours per day
 Household Work: 2 hours per day

Available Time per Day = 24 hours - (Sleep + Commute + Leisure + Work + Household)
= 24 - (8 + 1 + 2 + 8 + 2) = 3 hours per day

Available Time per Week = 3 hours per day * 7 days = 21 hours per week

5. Calculate Priority Scores:

Using the assigned weights, you can calculate the priority score for each goal.

Goal 1 Weighted Score = 6 (FR) + 5 (PR) + 7 (KR) + 6 (SR) + 8 (TE) = 32

Goal 2 Weighted Score = 4 (FR) + 3 (PR) + 5 (KR) + 4 (SR) + 6 (TE) = 22

6. Calculate Allocated Time:

Complexity, scope, and skill level are key factors to consider when allocating time in
goal planning and prioritization. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in
determining the level of effort, resources, and time required to achieve a particular goal.
Let's define and explain these concepts in the context of goal planning and
prioritization:

Complexity:

 Definition: Complexity refers to the degree of intricacy, difficulty, or intricateness

involved in achieving a goal or completing a task. It encompasses the number of
interrelated factors, steps, and potential challenges that need to be addressed.
 Explanation: Goals with higher complexity may require more time and effort to
accomplish. They often involve numerous variables, dependencies, and potential
complications. When prioritizing goals, it's essential to consider the complexity of
each goal to allocate sufficient time and resources accordingly. Complex goals
might need to be broken down into smaller, more manageable sub-goals.

Scope:

 Definition: Scope defines the extent or range of a goal or project. It outlines

what is included within the goal and what is not. A goal with a broader scope
encompasses more elements and may require more resources and time to
complete.
 Explanation: Goals with a larger scope often demand a longer time frame and
more resources. When prioritizing goals, it's crucial to assess the scope to ensure
that you allocate enough time to accomplish everything within the desired scope.
You may need to adjust the scope of certain goals if time constraints are an issue.

Skill Level:

 Definition: Skill level refers to the proficiency, expertise, or competency required

to achieve a specific goal or task. Some goals may demand advanced skills and
knowledge, while others may be more accessible to individuals with basic skills.
 Explanation: Skill level is a vital consideration in goal planning and prioritization.
If a goal requires skills that you or your team currently lack, you may need to
allocate time for skill development or consider outsourcing certain tasks. It's
 essential to assess the skill levels required for each goal and ensure you have the
necessary resources or training in place to achieve them.

In the context of allocating time in goal planning and prioritization:

 Prioritization: When deciding which goals to prioritize, consider the interplay

between complexity, scope, and skill level. Goals with high complexity, broad
scope, or demanding skill requirements may need to be given higher priority, as
they often require more time and attention.
 Time Allocation: Allocate time based on a realistic assessment of these factors.
Goals with higher complexity, larger scope, or greater skill demands may require
longer timelines. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the resources and
support needed to achieve each goal within the allocated time frame.
 Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust your time allocation as circumstances change.
Sometimes, unexpected challenges or opportunities may arise that require you to
adapt your priorities and reallocate time accordingly.

In summary, complexity, scope, and skill level are critical considerations in goal planning
and prioritization. By carefully assessing these factors, you can make informed decisions
about how to allocate your time and resources to achieve your goals effectively and
efficiently.

To allocate time for each goal use the formula: Effort Time Required = (Complexity *
Scope * Skill Level) / Daily Available Time

You should establish a 1-10 scale for Complexity, Scope, and Skill Level for each goal.
For example:

 Complexity for Goal 1: 7

 Scope for Goal 1: 8
 Skill Level for Goal 1: 6
 Complexity for Goal 2: 5
 Scope for Goal 2: 4
 Skill Level for Goal 2: 7

Now, calculate Effort Time Required for each goal:

Effort Time Required for Goal 1 = (7 * 8 * 6) / 3 = 112 hours

Effort Time Required for Goal 2 = (5 * 4 * 7) / 3 = 46.67 hours (approximately 47

hours)
7. Determine Number of Days:
Based on the allocated time and effort time required, you can calculate the number of
days needed for each goal, considering buffer time for unforeseen circumstances.

Number of Days for Goal 1 = Effort Time Required for Goal 1 / (Daily Available Time -
Buffer Time)

Number of Days for Goal 2 = Effort Time Required for Goal 2 / (Daily Available Time -
Buffer Time)

You can decide on an appropriate buffer time, such as 10% of the total effort time.

Let's calculate the number of days needed for each goal using the provided information
and formulas. I'll include a buffer time of 10% as suggested.

Given Data: Complexity for Goal 1: 7 Scope for Goal 1: 8 Skill Level for Goal 1: 6
Complexity for Goal 2: 5 Scope for Goal 2: 4 Skill Level for Goal 2: 7 Daily Available Time:
3 hours

Step 1: Calculate Effort Time Required for Each Goal

Effort Time Required for Goal 1 = (7 * 8 * 6) / 3 = 112 hours

Effort Time Required for Goal 2 = (5 * 4 * 7) / 3 = 46.67 hours (approximately 47 hours)

Step 2: Determine Buffer Time

Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 1 = 0.1 * 112 = 11.2 hours (approximately
11 hours)

Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 2 = 0.1 * 47 = 4.7 hours (approximately 5
hours)

Step 3: Calculate Number of Days for Each Goal

Number of Days for Goal 1 = (Effort Time Required for Goal 1 + Buffer Time for Goal 1) /
Daily Available Time

Number of Days for Goal 1 = (112 + 11) / 3 = 123 / 3 = 41 days

Number of Days for Goal 2 = (Effort Time Required for Goal 2 + Buffer Time for Goal 2) /
Daily Available Time

Number of Days for Goal 2 = (47 + 5) / 3 = 52 / 3 ≈ 17.33 days (approximately 17 days)

So, based on the calculations with a 10% buffer time, Goal 1 will take approximately 41
days, and Goal 2 will take approximately 17 days to complete. Please note that these
calculations are approximate and should be adjusted based on real-world circumstances
and project management considerations.

8. Goal Planning, Deployment, Execution, and

Monitoring (PACT):
PACT (Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, and Trackable) goal-setting technique is a
framework that emphasizes setting and achieving goals effectively. By merging and
incorporating the principles, tools, and best practices from Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma,
Scrum, Kanban, and Agile into PACT, you can apply the following strategies:

Purposeful (P):

 Kaizen: Focus on continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and refining

your goals to ensure they align with your evolving purpose.
 Lean: Eliminate wasteful activities in your goal-planning process to make it more
purpose-driven.
 Agile: Use the Agile principle of focusing on customer value to ensure your goals
have a clear and meaningful purpose.
 Six Sigma: Utilize a Project Charter to define the purpose, scope, goals and
objectives, aligning it with the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve,
Control) methodology.

Actionable (A):

 Scrum: Break down long-term goals into smaller, actionable tasks or user stories
to make them more manageable.
 Kanban: Visualize your goal-related tasks on a Kanban board to prioritize and
ensure a steady flow of actionable items.
 Agile: Emphasize the importance of delivering working solutions incrementally to
make goals more actionable.
Continuous (C):

 Kaizen: Apply the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement to your goal

execution by regularly reviewing progress and making adjustments.
 Lean: Eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies in your goal execution process to
maintain a continuous flow of work.
 Scrum: Hold regular sprint reviews and retrospectives to ensure continuous
improvement in achieving your goals.

Trackable (T):

 Six Sigma: Use data-driven metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track
your goal progress and identify areas for improvement.
 Kanban: Utilize metrics such as cycle time and lead time to track the progress of
individual tasks and overall goals.
 Agile: Implement regular sprint reviews to track progress, gather feedback, and
make necessary adjustments.

By incorporating these principles and tools into each step of the PACT goal-setting
technique, you can create a comprehensive and effective approach to goal planning,
execution, and tracking. Remember that the specific tools and practices you use should
be tailored to your unique goals and circumstances. Additionally, fostering a culture of
collaboration, communication, and adaptability, which are key principles in Agile
methodologies, can enhance the overall effectiveness of the PACT goal-setting
technique.

9. Additional Computation and References

To adjust the computation to work for 1 hour or depending on your available time for
each goal, you can modify the formula to calculate the Effort Time Required, Number of
Days, and Buffer Time accordingly. Here's a What-If formula for the adjustments:

Adjusted Effort Time Required: Effort Time Required = (Complexity * Scope * Skill
Level) / Available Time

Adjusted Number of Days: Number of Days = Effort Time Required / Available Time

Adjusted Buffer Time: Buffer Time = 0.1 * Effort Time Required (10% buffer)

Now, let's provide a before and after adjustment example using the given data:
Given Data:

 Complexity for Goal 1: 7

 Scope for Goal 1: 8
 Skill Level for Goal 1: 6
 Complexity for Goal 2: 5
 Scope for Goal 2: 4
 Skill Level for Goal 2: 7
 Daily Available Time: 1 hour (adjustable)

Before Adjustment:

Step 1: Calculate Effort Time Required for Each Goal Effort Time Required for Goal 1 = (7
* 8 * 6) / 3 = 112 hours

Effort Time Required for Goal 2 = (5 * 4 * 7) / 3 = 46.67 hours (approximately 47 hours)

Step 2: Determine Buffer Time Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 1 = 0.1 *
112 = 11.2 hours (approximately 11 hours)

Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 2 = 0.1 * 47 = 4.7 hours (approximately 5
hours)

Step 3: Calculate Number of Days for Each Goal Number of Days for Goal 1 = (Effort
Time Required for Goal 1 + Buffer Time for Goal 1) / Daily Available Time Number of
Days for Goal 1 = (112 + 11) / 3 = 123 / 3 ≈ 41 days

Number of Days for Goal 2 = (Effort Time Required for Goal 2 + Buffer Time for Goal 2) /
Daily Available Time Number of Days for Goal 2 = (47 + 5) / 3 = 52 / 3 ≈ 17.33 days
(approximately 17 days)

After Adjustment (with 1-hour daily available time):

Step 1: Calculate Effort Time Required for Each Goal Effort Time Required for Goal 1 = (7
* 8 * 6) / 1 = 336 hours

Effort Time Required for Goal 2 = (5 * 4 * 7) / 1 = 140 hours

Step 2: Determine Buffer Time Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 1 = 0.1 *
336 = 33.6 hours (approximately 34 hours)
Buffer Time (10% of total effort time) for Goal 2 = 0.1 * 140 = 14 hours

Step 3: Calculate Number of Days for Each Goal Number of Days for Goal 1 = (Effort
Time Required for Goal 1 + Buffer Time for Goal 1) / Daily Available Time Number of
Days for Goal 1 = (336 + 34) / 1 = 370 days (approximately).

Number of Days for Goal 2 = (Effort Time Required for Goal 2 + Buffer Time for Goal 2) /
Daily Available Time Number of Days for Goal 2 = (140 + 14) / 1 = 154 days
(approximately).

In the adjusted scenario with a 1-hour daily available time, Goal 1 will take
approximately 370 days, and Goal 2 will take approximately 154 days to complete.
Please note that these calculations are simplified and may not account for practical
project management considerations.

Mitigation Steps

Here are some steps to consider if you have exceeded the planned time for your goals:

1. Review and Adjust Your Approach: Take a closer look at how you've been
working on these goals. Are there any bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or unexpected
challenges that have caused the delays? Evaluate your current approach and
consider making adjustments.
2. Reassess Complexity, Scope, and Skill Level: Reevaluate the initial assessment
of complexity, scope, and skill level for each goal. It's possible that these factors
were initially underestimated, leading to longer-than-expected timelines. If
needed, make adjustments to these factors.
3. Increase Daily Available Time: If possible, allocate more time each day to work
on your goals. If your daily available time was originally set at 3 hours, consider if
you can increase this allocation, either by adjusting your schedule or delegating
other tasks.
4. Reduce the Buffer Time: You initially applied a 10% buffer time to account for
unforeseen circumstances. If you haven't encountered many unexpected issues,
you might consider reducing the buffer time to allocate more time for direct work
on the goals.
5. Seek Help or Delegate: If you're working on these goals independently, consider
whether you can enlist help or delegate some tasks to others. This can help
distribute the workload and speed up progress.
 6. Prioritize and Focus: Ensure that you are prioritizing tasks within each goal
effectively. Focus on high-impact activities and avoid getting sidetracked by less
critical tasks.
7. Regularly Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor your progress and make
adjustments as necessary. If you notice that you're falling behind, take proactive
steps to catch up.
8. Communication: If these goals are part of a larger project or team effort,
communicate openly with relevant stakeholders about the delays and your plan
to get back on track. Transparency is essential in managing expectations.
9. Learn from Delays: Use the experience of these delays as a learning opportunity.
Analyze what caused the delays and how you can prevent similar issues in the
future.
10. Stay Flexible: Remember that project timelines can change, and unexpected
challenges can arise. It's essential to stay flexible and adapt your plans as needed.

By taking these steps and adjusting your approach as necessary, you can work towards
bringing your goals back on track and managing your time more effectively.