Goals and objectives can and should guide action. One of the 9 Principals of War is to set clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objectives.

Goals and objectives should be:

1. Acceptable - Is the objective acceptable to managers and KEY stakeholders?
2. Flexible - Is the objective adaptable to unforeseen changes in the firm’s environment?
3. Measurable - Does the objective clearly state what will be achieved and when it will be achieved?
4. Achievable - Is the objective achievable? Can it be reached?
5. Motivating - Is the objective’s target high enough to challenge, yet realistic and achievable?
6. Suitable - Does the goal/objective fit with the mission statement/purpose and with other important long-term objectives?
7. Understandable - Will managers at all levels understand what senior managers are trying to accomplish and achieve by setting the specific long-term objective?

A memory aid for the seven characteristics of well-defined goals and objectives is AFMAMSU

Traditional goal-setting wisdom prescribes that a good short-run goal must be a) written, b) challenging, c) believable, d) specific, e) measureable, and f) have a specific deadline.

Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective.

from various sources including:
http://www.mygoals.com
http://www.topachievement.com/goalsetting.html