What are the three objectives in MBO?

• A. Performance, Behavioral, and Learning
• B. Profit, Growth, and Market Share
• C. Quality, Cost, and Delivery
• D. Safety, Compliance, and Ethics

Answer: (A)

In Management by Objectives, goals are framed as three kinds of objectives: performance, behavioral, and learning. Performance objectives specify the results to be achieved and are usually measurable, such as a target sales figure, a production quota, or a project milestone. Behavioral objectives describe the way the work should be done—the behaviors and competencies that enable the results, like effective teamwork, timely communication, and following essential processes. Learning objectives focus on developing capabilities that will improve future performance, such as acquiring a new skill, completing a training program, or gaining a certification.

This structure helps ensure that people are not only aiming for a numerical target but also performing in the right way and growing their skills, which sustains long-term improvement. The other options reflect common business aims or operational metrics, but they don’t capture the three objective categories that MBO emphasizes.