Introduction

Section 1 introduced the concept of team alignment everyone in the team pulling in same direction to achieve the team's purpose. But teams don't work in isolation; they're an integral part of the whole organization. Therefore before focusing on your team's alignment you need to look at where the team is placed in the context of the wider organization.

Alignment takes place through setting objectives. Managing by objectives, or 'MbO', was a popular management theme in the 1980s. Since then the main principles have become embedded into mainstream management practice. Few could argue that it's essential for any organization or manager to have clear objectives. You have to know what you, and your team, need to achieve. Otherwise you become rudderless, being buffeted by day-to-day demands with no destination in sight.

This section starts by looking at how organizations become aligned. It then focuses on the practicalities of setting 'SMART' objectives for your team. Finally it moves on to using objectives at a team level to prioritize, plan and evaluate work.