The end of the year is a great time to regroup and evaluate how the year went and where improvements can be made for the new year. Often, the excitement of setting new goals as a team fades as the year goes on. Successful planning can change the direction of an entire year and can mean the difference between success and failure. Taking time to set effective team goals will get you started down the right path this new year. Here are 5 keys to do just that:

Think about the past year. What worked? What didn’t? Reflection lays the groundwork for setting fresh goals for the new year. Look for areas that your team was lacking and establish goals to plug the gaps. Be honest in your reflection with your team. It’s important to point out where the team did well but also where it needs improvement.

It’s important to see the big picture of where you are and where you want to be. However, it can be overwhelming and unrealistic to just establish the big picture goals without establishing the small steps that you need to take to achieve them. Where do you want to be at the end of next year? What steps do you need to take in order to get to that point?

When you start throwing goals out there in the planning session with your team, think about how you can quantify them. How will you know if they are successful? Make S.M.A.R.T. goals to ensure that you will know this time next year if the goals turned out to be successful. They should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. Do this and you’ll set yourself up for success.

Communication, communication, communication. It’s important to always communicate and report on how the team is progressing. A weekly, monthly, or quarterly update provides the chance for the team to get an added boost of motivation to continue in the pursuit of the goals. Communicate clearly and often to the team if you are staying on track. It’s helpful for team members to remember the bigger picture and the “why” of the tasks they do daily.

This point is closely related to the anterior. How many times have you been part of a team that sets goals and then doesn’t mention them again until the end of the next year? Frequent follow up with your team keeps the goals fresh in their minds. They don’t have to fade like most new years resolutions… Follow up often to see your team’s progress.