Goal-setting is a process an individual goes through in order to stay grounded to and focused on the task at hand. I found it useful to set goals to help me successfully execute my design project. However, it is important to note that by being an active course participant, many professional goals were developed as well. In this section, I will share my goals as it relates to the design project and professionally. As you peruse, select the hypertext to read about the goals in context.

My design project goals were to:

• demonstrate my uniqueness to the field of Instructional Design
• make more independent decisions as a Needs Assessor conducting research and not rely heavily on models
• demonstrate a critical level of thinking
• be sceptical as it relates to questioning existing literature and theories, critical and independent throughout my research process
• dig deeper in existing literature and theories so that I could find gaps and create modernised frameworks in my design

To explore these goals in more detail and in context, select here. With these goals in mind, some of the obstacles faced were internal such as self-doubt and confusion at the process. Moreover, in some instances it was due to limited access to databases or other resources and being constrained by time. However, in these situations, establishing an overall plan and timeline kept me focused on the tasks and meeting my goals.

My professional goals are to:

• speak up more about the issues at the school confronting all staff members and or design a system where staff members can share their issues faced. This design could be ranked by priority, level of impact etc.
• publish an eBook or write articles about human performance improvement and culture
• encourage workplace documentation for projects
• pass on knowledge of the systematic process of documentation by leading and or assisting projects and demonstrating the process with coworkers and project management team
• design an e-learning course on Needs Assessment or Human Performance Improvement that offers one-on-one coaching sessions
• design Problem Based Learning environments for my students to sharpen their higher-order cognitive skills and reduce reliance on the instructor as the main source of knowledge
• share tools that have been modified in Open Resource environments so that other Needs Assessors may benefit

With each listed goal, there are certain challenges involved. For instance, a challenge of the eBook can be having writer’s block or lacking sufficient innovative ideas. Moreover, persons in my workplace may be resistant to change and may not want to document their project histories. Similarly, students may become frustrated with Problem Based Learning and may develop feelings of the subject being overly difficult. To remedy these, the designer intends to use some of the same strategies learned in the programme of study which include but are not limited to, planning, considering risks, following a systematic process, project managing, collaborating with peers, risk-taking and making mistakes, reflecting and most importantly, continuing to learn and grow!