It’s time to tackle some new years resolutions, and we don’t just mean the ones for personal growth. Organizations everywhere should be taking advantage of this period to reflect on the past year as well as business goals for the year ahead. How did your organization perform in 2024? Did any major shifts or changes occur? What can be improved in your management system?

In this article, we’re going to discuss the best ways to establish and achieve business or management system objectives throughout 2025 using common ISO principles.

ISO & Objective Tools

ISO Clause 6.2: Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them

ISO management system objectives represent the goals and targets an organization sets to maintain compliance with ISO standards. These objectives create a structured foundation for implementing consistent and effective management practices across all operational areas, leading to increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and enhanced overall performance.

As part of the planning process, organizations must establish management system objectives across various levels and functions. These objectives should align with the ISO standard’s policies—whether related to quality, safety, or the environment—and focus on ensuring product or service conformity while enhancing customer satisfaction. To be effective, these objectives must be measurable and consider applicable customer, legal, and regulatory requirements.

To achieve these objectives, organizations must develop a clear, actionable plan. This involves setting defined targets, allocating necessary resources, and transitioning into the implementation phase to ensure the objectives are met effectively and efficiently.

Using the SMART Framework

SMART is a great tool for organizations to use when establishing clear objectives, and this applies to management systems too. If you aren’t familiar with the acronym, SMART stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

When setting goals, clarity is key. Be precise and descriptive to give your goals a clear direction. For example, instead of saying you want to expand your marketing contact list, specify, that you want to grow your marketing contact list by 200 per month. This level of detail provides a clear target to aim for and a way to track progress. Goals without measurable criteria are ineffective because you can’t track your organization’s progress or success, so be sure to break your goal into quantifiable elements.

Ask yourself if the goal is realistically achievable with the resources you have. Goals require energy, effort, time, money, people, and more. If you’re lacking in any of these areas, reaching your goal becomes more challenging.

Ensure your goals align with broader business objectives and the ISO standard you’re compliant to. This is where you dive into the “why” aspect of objectives. Reflect on what you want to achieve this year and why, ensuring your goals support the organization’s overall vision.

Finally, deadlines bring focus and urgency to your objectives. Establish a reasonable timeline that accounts for all necessary steps to achieve the goal. Time constraints are essential for motivation, but they should also be realistic. Avoid setting your organization up for failure by choosing an unachievable timeframe; instead, strike a balance between ambition and practicality.

Align Objectives at Every Level

A common misconception is that objectives and goals are a responsibility for only top-level management or leadership roles. This is far from the truth, however, as employees involved in every process should be striving for improvement. Goals can only go so far if they aren’t shared with most of the organization.

ISO management systems, in order to be effectively implemented, should already have general objectives that are aligned with the organization’s vision. If employees are not properly engaged in the management system, or lack a dedication to quality, safety, etc., goals and efficiency will be harder to achieve.

A structured approach to aligned goal-setting— clearly defining objectives, assigning responsibilities, and tracking progress— greatly enhances the chances of success for both the organization and its management system.

Conclusion: Be Prepared for Success in the New Year

As we step into 2025, leveraging ISO principles and structured goal-setting can position your organization for a year of growth and success. By establishing clear, measurable objectives aligned with your management system, engaging all levels of the organization, and utilizing frameworks like SMART, you can drive efficiency, improve performance, and achieve meaningful progress. Now is the perfect time to align your goals with your vision and take actionable steps toward a stronger, more effective future.

The ISO 9001 Group offers expert Management System Consulting services for ISO management systems. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization meet its management system goals and continuously improve.