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FEATURED EBOOK: 5 Goal-Setting Worksheets For Measured Success

Three board members outlining goals on a whiteboard using a red marker.

Homeowners’ association (HOA) board members are tasked with running an efficient and financially sound community. To do this, the board must set realistic goals aimed at enhancing the overall living
experience. However, creating these strong initiatives and following through with them can be challenging without proper preparation and planning.

At Associa, we have more than 46 years of experience helping boards set and reach meaningful goals for their communities. Throughout our Board Goal-Setting series, we’ve offered free worksheets to help you set goals, track your progress, and meet milestones. In "5 Goal-Setting Worksheets For Measured Success" you'll find every edition combined into one! 

Download the ebook now!

Goal Brainstorming Worksheet

In our first installment, you’ll find a Goal Brainstorming Worksheet complete with tools to get your started on goals and tips to encourage idea sharing. HOA goals can be broken down into three categories:

Annual goals are set every year to maintain operations, compliance, and adequate funding. Improvement goals are related to maintenance projects and general upkeep of the community. Communication goals improve transparency, collaboration, and resident engagement.

Because every association is unique, review your governing documents, know your budget, and consider homeowner priorities before developing strategic plans. Examples of HOA goals include:

  • Prepare the annual budget by a particular date.
  • Remodel the community pool deck.
  • Create a formal complaint process.
  • Invite monthly speakers for community events.
  • Find a more affordable option to replace an overpriced vendor.
  • Invest in technology that allows homeowners to pay fees online.

SMART Goal Setting Worksheet

In this edition of the series, you'll find a SMART Goals Worksheet designed to help turn simple ideas into actionable steps. 

SMART stands for:

  • Specific. The goal must be well-defined and specific. Confirm everyone has a clear understanding of the goal, knows why it was set, who is involved, what should be accomplished, and the proposed timeline.  
  • Measurable. Having a measurable goal helps you track progress, correct the plan of action if needed, and demonstrate advancement to residents.
  • Achievable. Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. Work within your resources of time, effort, and money. Setting the bar too high might leave board members feeling defeated and frustrated and residents unhappy.
  • Relevant. Is your goal important to maintaining or improving your community? Will achieving it make a difference? Is it something most residents want?
  • Time-based. Set deadlines. If it’s a long-term goal, break it into phases with deadlines for each phase. Also, take into account board members’ availability and their own time commitments.

While it's OK for boards to have broad visions for their communities, those aspirations are just starting points. Focusing your ideas, creating practical steps, and establishing a timeframe to achieve them is key to making a real impact. The SMART method is an effective way to help you do just that.

Goal Planning Worksheet

In the third edition of the series, you’ll find a Goal Planning Worksheet that’ll allow you to act on your goals strategically, with a focus on detailing the work that needs to be done to achieve them.  

This worksheet creates an overarching execution plan that acts as a roadmap to achieve your goals. For each HOA goal, fill in five specific action items that must be completed, which board member is responsible for each step, and when it must be accomplished. Once you're done you'll have actionable steps, assigned responsibilities, and realistic deadlines ready for all your board's objectives!

Goal Review Worksheet

Get  the tools you need to evaluate your goals and make sure you’re on pace to meet them. By evaluating goals regularly, you turn action into intentional progress, keeping your board’s efforts aligned, effective, and meaningful. 

Monthly Goal Planner

When you plan ahead and stay on top of your to-do lists throughout the month, it can help you avoid the pressure of last-minute deadlines that may derail community goals. Using our a monthly planner is an easy way to monitor goal timeframes and keep all board members on the same page.

Additional Resources

Associa is a partner you can trust to lead your community to success. Providing top-tier management, secure financials, customizable insurance, and advanced technology, our comprehensive suite of services creates greater efficiencies.

Subscribe to our Community Matters Blog for the lastest community association news, trends, best practices delivered right to your inbox - right when we publish it. In addition to all this goal-setting guidance you'll also get acccess to:

  • Advice from industry experts
  • Maintenance tips
  • Important legal updates
  • Board management breakdowns
  • Resources for community association residents 
  • Answers to FAQs
  • And much more!