Objectives focus on the overall abilities or competencies to be acquired by the trainee at the end of a training programme. They indicate change in knowledge, skills and attitudes resulting from training activity. They guide the designer in selecting content and developing instructional strategy. If the objectives are available to the participants they give a clear cut guidelines for what is to be learned and tested during the course, thus few students are likely to get lost and more are likely to master the instructions. They provide clear description of what the students will be covering, thus helping prevent instructional gaps or duplication.

There are characteristics of well written learning objectives; SMART this implies to

Specific: well written objectives should specify and expected outcome in clear terms. If objectives are vague or confusing, it may be difficult to determine the actual learning that has taken place in a training programme or session.

Measurable: an objective should show how one would observe that the desired behavioural change has taken place. Action oriented words such as explain, state, identify, develop, solve, demonstrate, write read should be used.

Achievable: would be intended outcome be realized within the given time frame and resources available? Also consider the level of participants.
Relevant: the objectives should be relevant to the target population.
Time bound: The objectives should specify the period within which the behavioural change will be measured.