Making MBO Effective

Abstract

Management by objectives (MBO) is perhaps potentially the most powerful technique of managing that has ever been developed. But, despite its potential and the high enthusiasm for it, both in the U.S. and abroad, the record of successful implementation of MBO has not been encouraging. This article outlines the nature and advantages of MBO, its limitations, the weaknesses that have been experienced in its practice, and the author suggests what can be done to make MBO effective.