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Goal-Oriented Planning

Master how agents define objectives and create strategic plans to achieve them

The SMART Framework

Effective goals follow the SMART framework. Agents need precise instructions to execute tasks successfully. Vague goals lead to confusion, wasted resources, and poor outcomes.

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Specific

Clearly define what needs to be done. Avoid ambiguity.

❌ "Research AI"
✅ "Research AI diagnostic tools in healthcare"
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Measurable

Define criteria for success. How will you know when done?

❌ "Find some examples"
✅ "Find 5 examples with citations"

Achievable

Ensure goal is realistic given constraints and capabilities.

❌ "Cure cancer with AI today"
✅ "Identify 3 AI cancer detection tools"
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Relevant

Align with broader objectives and provide meaningful value.

❌ "Random AI facts"
✅ "AI applications relevant to our industry"

Time-bound

Set clear deadlines to prevent endless execution.

❌ "Sometime soon"
✅ "Complete by Friday at 5 PM"
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Deliverable

Specify the output format or end product.

❌ "Figure it out"
✅ "Create 2-page PDF summary"

Interactive Goal Quality Comparison

Select a scenario and see how goal quality improves from poor → better → best

POOR GOAL DEFINITION
"Do research on AI"
Too vague - what aspect of AI?
No success criteria - when is research "done"?
No scope boundaries - could research forever
No deliverable specified

Common Goal Definition Mistakes

❌ Vague Objectives

Bad: "Make the system better"
Good: "Reduce API response time from 500ms to 200ms for 95% of requests"

❌ Missing Success Criteria

Bad: "Improve user satisfaction"
Good: "Increase NPS score from 7.2 to 8.0 or higher within 3 months"

❌ Unrealistic Scope

Bad: "Build a complete social media platform by tomorrow"
Good: "Build user authentication system with email/password login by Friday"

❌ No Deliverable Format

Bad: "Look into competitors"
Good: "Create spreadsheet comparing top 5 competitors on pricing, features, and market share"