When managing and responding to incidents, it is important to have clear objectives in order to effectively address the incident. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). However, there are certain characteristics that should not be included when creating incident objectives.
Defining Characteristics of Incident Objectives
SMART objectives are an important part of incident management. A SMART objective is one that is:
- Specific – An incident objective should be clear and concise, and should specify what needs to be accomplished.
- Measurable – An incident objective should have quantifiable metrics that can be used to measure progress.
- Achievable – An incident objective should be achievable within the given timeframe and resources.
- Realistic – An incident objective should be realistic and achievable given the current situation.
- Time-Bound – An incident objective should have a specific timeline for completion.
Examining Unrecommended Characteristics
When creating incident objectives, there are certain characteristics that should be avoided. These include:
- Vague – Incident objectives should be clear and specific. Vague objectives will not provide enough direction for the incident response team.
- Unrealistic – Objectives should be achievable within the given timeframe and resources. Unrealistic objectives will not be successful.
- Unmeasurable – Objectives should have measurable metrics that can be used to track progress. Unmeasurable objectives will not provide feedback on the success of the incident response.
- Open-Ended – Objectives should have a specific timeline for completion. Open-ended objectives will not provide the team with a sense of urgency.
When creating incident objectives, it is important to use SMART objectives. It is also important to avoid objectives that are vague, unrealistic, unmeasurable, or open-ended. By following these guidelines, incident response teams can ensure that their objectives are clear and achievable.
