1. Objectives should be stated with action-oriented verbs such as: demonstrate, test, develop.
2. In writing objectives, maximize concreteness, clarity and precision. Do not be ambiguous.
3. Objectives are considered precise outcomes that must be measured in some manner to determine actual accomplishments.
4. The objectives are the basis for determining the procedural aspects of the program, and, therefore, must be carefully planned.
5. The most frequent error made in writing objectives is to make them vague.
6. Objectives must be briefly and succinctly stated—a sentence or two at most.
7. The quality of the written objectives will determine the effectiveness of the evaluation design.
8. Objectives must be easily found, not embedded in the narrative of the proposal.
9. Prioritized objectives indicate good planning and reasoning by the principal investigator.
10. List major objectives followed by a series of sub-objectives to identify aspects of the program plan precisely.

NOTE:  In developing program objectives, it is helpful to list as many aims, goals, and objectives as occur to the proposal writer without attempting initially to refine them. From your initial list, you can begin to form your objectives into concrete, measurable statements.