12 FREE Goal Setting Templates (Download: Excel, Word, PDF)

Using goal setting templates is a great way to standardize the way goals are set in your organization. That is why we created 9 goal setting templates you can download for free. We also decided to supplement that list with 3 of our favorite goal setting templates made by other great sources, providing you with a total of 12 of the best goal and OKR templates you can find on the internet.

We also regularly update this article to make sure all the goal sheets on this list are still perfectly relevant and useful.

👇 Scroll Down for Free Goal Setting Templates for Word, Excel, and PDF!👇

[fs-toc-omit] Generate Goals, OKRs, KPIs for Each Department with AI

How you set goals is important. However, let's not forget that the actual goals you set for your employees can be just as important as well. To help you make the most out of the goal setting templates we have prepared for you below, we built this AI-Powered Goal Generator for you. Select your goal-setting methodology, whether it is OKRs, KPIs, or SMART goals, choose the department you want to set goals for and start generating sample goals, which you can later add to your goal setting templates.

SMART Goals Templates: Free Templates to Download

SMART goals are the gold standard for effective goal setting, ensuring your objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Our SMART goals templates are designed to guide you through each criterion systematically, addressing the critical need for structured goal development.

Why SMART Goals Templates Work?

Research consistently shows that SMART goals increase achievement rates by up to 90% compared to vague objectives. The framework forces clarity and creates accountability through measurable outcomes.

1- Smart Goals Template Excel

This particular SMART goals template for Excel doesn't just provide you with an easy goal setting template you can use in Excel but also comes fully loaded with built-in criteria for your goals. If this is your first time with the SMART goals methodology, this Excel goal-setting template is perfect for you!

Key Features:

• Built-in SMART criteria validation
• Easy goal setting template structure
• Perfect for SMART goals beginners
• Excel-based tracking capabilities

Who is this SMART Goals Template for?

• Team managers coordinating multiple employee goals
• Data-driven professionals who prefer spreadsheet-based tracking
• Project leaders managing goal dependencies and timelines
• HR professionals implementing organization-wide goal programs

2. SMART Goals Worksheet for Excel

Arguably one of our favorites on this list, this goal setting template helps leaders not just determine goals but also include some key information about the goal, going beyond a description and a deadline.

This particular goal sheet has a lot of room for the goal owner as well as the goal setter to discuss both the purpose of the goals being set, as well as some challenges that may be encountered along the way.

Key Features:

• Purpose discussion sections
• Challenge identification areas
• Goal owner and setter collaboration
• Pulls double duty as a SMART goals checklist
• Section to verify goals fit SMART criteria

Who is this SMART Goals Template for?

• Senior leaders setting strategic organizational goals
• Goal coaches working with clients on detailed planning
• Department heads managing complex, multi-layered objectives
• Performance managers conducting thorough goal discussions
• Team leaders who need collaborative goal-setting processes

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3. SMART Goal Worksheet Template for Excel (Cascading Goals)

Going beyond being a regular goal setting template, this particular Excel template helps you set cascading goals, letting you align individual goals with larger-scale organizational ones.

What’s included in this goal template?

• Individual Goals
• Team Goals
• Department Goals
• Division Goals
• Organization Goals

This goal setting template also has specific sections for you to explain how the goal you set is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and of course, time-bound. It is the perfect goal sheet to help align everyone's goals and objectives.

Who is this SMART Goals Template for?

• C-suite executives implementing company-wide goal alignment
• Mid-level managers connecting team goals to organizational strategy
• HR directors rolling out cascading goal frameworks
• Division leaders coordinating cross-functional objectives
• Project managers aligning multiple stakeholder goals

[fs-toc-omit] Customizable Goal Setting Sheets: Word Templates for Free Download

Below you will find three Word goal-setting templates that follow the SMART goals method. While all three templates follow pretty similar structures, one is more focused on discussions, while the other two goal-setting templates for Word are focused on regular updates and revisiting of goals at later dates.

Word goal-setting templates, while not as detailed as their Excel counterparts, provide a simple goal-setting and tracking experience inside an easy-to-navigate layout.

Excel templates are better if you are setting goals in bulk, but Word goal-setting templates are better as individual goal-setting templates.

4. Annual Goals Template - Word Document

With a section devoted to checking-in on the goal in 6 months, this is the perfect Word goal setting template for setting goals at the beginning of the year and following up on them during mid-year reviews.

Relatively straightforward, this goal template for employees can easily be used as a yearly goals template for employees.

With a section devoted to checking-in on the goal in 6 months, this is the perfect Word goal setting template for setting goals at the beginning of the year and following up on them during mid-year reviews.

Relatively straightforward, this goal template for employees can easily be used as a yearly goals template for employees.

What’s included in this goal template?

• 6 Month updates section for mid-year reviews
• A draft section for effective goal making
• SMART goals criteria built into the goal making template

Who is this Goal Template for?

• Employees setting annual goals as part of their performance cycle
• Managers who conduct both annual and mid-year reviews
• Organizations looking to build goal check-ins into their review cadence

5- Goal Development Template Word

While all the other goal-setting templates on this list were focused more heavily on goal setting for employees, this Word template is designed for personal goal setting purposes.

Setting career goals is an amazing way to visualize your career path and map out development areas for yourself.

This career goal-setting template for Microsoft Word has three core sections:

What’s included in this goal template?

• Short-term Career Goals
• Mid-term Career Goals
• Long-term Career Goals

Who is this Goal Template for?

• Individual contributors mapping out their career trajectory
• Employees preparing for development conversations with their managers
• Professionals transitioning into new roles or industries

6- Goal Tracker Template - Word

The last goal setting template we have on our list was designed in a way to foster communication between goal setters and goal owners. With dedicated “Response” sections next to each action step for the goal, this goal sheet is perfect for collaborative use.

Using this goal template through Word Online would be a far better than using it as an offline goal-setting tool.

What’s included in this goal template?

• Action steps section for each goal.
• Leading quesitons to assist goal-setting.
• A smart goals template criteria

Who is this Goal Template for?

• Managers working through goal-setting with their direct reports
• Mentors and coaches guiding employees through development planning
• Teams that prefer real-time collaboration on shared objectives

[fs-toc-omit] Goal Planning Worksheet PDF Templates: Free Download

Transform goal setting from a static exercise into an engaging, interactive process with these activity-focused templates, addressing the growing demand for goals activity sheets. These customizable PDF goal templates 

Below you will find three printable goal setting worksheets you can download for free! As usual these templates follow the SMART criteria and even though they may not be as customizable as the templates above, they are perfect as handouts

7. Employee Goal Planning Activity Sheet

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This comprehensive goal planning activity sheet is designed for ongoing use and regular updates by the goal owner. Unlike static templates, this interactive worksheet includes multiple action items with both target dates and actual completion tracking.

Key Interactive Features:

• Action item planning with target dates
• Completion rate tracking for performance insights
• Progress monitoring sections for long-term analysis
• Employee engagement focused design
• Performance trend identification capabilities

Who is this Goal Activity Sheet for?

• HR professionals conducting employee goal-setting workshops
• Team managers facilitating goal planning sessions
• Performance coaches working with individual employees
• Training coordinators running goal-setting programs
• Department heads implementing structured goal processes

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8. SMART Goals Coaching Worksheet

If there is one goal setting template that strictly enforces the SMART criteria, this is it. This coaching-focused worksheet uses a guided approach to ensure every goal meets professional standards.

Interactive Coaching Elements:

• Opening section with coaching-style questions
• SMART criteria validation checkpoints
• Single-sentence goal clarity exercise
• Guided reflection prompts
• Quality assurance checkpoints

Who is this SMART Goals Worksheet for?

• Managers conducting one-on-one sessions
• Training facilitators teaching SMART goals methodology
• Managers ensuring goals meet quality standards
• Workshop participants learning goal-setting formats

The standout feature is the single-sentence goal explanation requirement. This simplistic approach ensures goals are reasonable and understandable.

9. Goals & Objectives Alignment Worksheet

This specialized worksheet focuses on the critical distinction between goals and objectives while ensuring alignment with larger organizational priorities. The built-in self-assessment component makes it particularly valuable for ensuring strategic coherence.

Alignment-Focused Features:

• Goals vs. objectives clarification framework
• Self-assessment sections for organizational alignment
• Strategic connection mapping
• Organizational goal evaluation tools
• Simple, user-friendly design for easy completion

Who is this Alignment Worksheet for?

• Organizational development professionals implementing goal cascading
• Team leaders ensuring goal alignment with company objectives
• Strategic planning coordinators connecting individual and organizational goals
• Managers conducting goal alignment reviews

The unique self-assessment section helps goal owners evaluate whether their individual objectives support broader organizational goals.

[fs-toc-omit] Personal Goal Tracking Templates

Believe it or not, we are not the only resource for goal setting templates on the internet! On top of our list of goal setting templates we wanted to include some personal goal tracking templates created by the amazing people over at Printsbery!

Unlike the templates we’ve listed above, these goal trackers are designed for personal goals. They can be incredibly helpful in ensuring you stick to the goals you set for yourself.

10. Personal Goal Tracker Template

11. Weekly Goal Tracker Template

12. Monthly Goal Tracker Template

OKR & Goals Templates Integrated into Microsoft 365: Teamflect

While all the templates we've provided you with in this article are perfect for most goal-setting scenarios, they can't take the place of an integrated OKR software. Having your goals integrated into your main communication platform boosts visibility and increases accountability.

The highest-rated OKR software in the Microsoft Ecosystem is Teamflect, built specifically to be integrated into Microsoft Teams and Outlook. With Teamflect, you can:

• Create Cascading OKRs
• Set Goals inside Microsoft Teams Chat
• Schedule Automated Goal Check-Ins
• View Participant Goals in Microsoft Teams Meetings
• Integrate OKRs into Performance Reviews

Ian Brown

Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, Furman University

"Teamflect has propelled our department to stand out within our division of the institution. We've accomplished more than 50% of our strategic plan within one year. That's pretty crazy. We were able to facilitate that because we were using a tool like Teamflect."

Read the full customer story →

All of this and so much more are available to you if you try Teamflect. Ready to learn more?

[fs-toc-omit] What Is the Best Goal Setting Format?

One well‑known study on written, structured goals found that participants who wrote down their goals, created action commitments, and shared progress with a friend achieved their goals 76% of the time, compared with 43% for those with unwritten goals, underscoring the value of using proper goal‑setting templates instead of keeping goals informal. Each template format has distinct advantages depending on your needs:

[fs-toc-omit] When to Use Excel Templates for Goal Setting?

They are ideal for data-driven goal tracking with built-in calculations and progress monitoring.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective and widely available
• Highly customizable with formulas and tracking
• Familiar interface for most users
• Flexible for simple to complex goal-tracking needs

Limitations:

• Limited real-time collaboration
• Requires manual updates and maintenance
• Can become unwieldy for large teams
• Lacks built-in automation features

[fs-toc-omit] When to Use Word Templates for Goal Setting?

Word Templates excel at detailed documentation and structured planning with clear, professional presentation.

Advantages:

• User-friendly and accessible interface
• Customizable layouts and design options
• Perfect for narrative-style goal setting
• Clear, structured document presentation

Limitations:

• Limited functionality for progress tracking
• Manual updates and maintenance required
• Collaboration challenges with version control
• No automation features available

[fs-toc-omit] When to Use PDF Templates for Goal Setting?

PDF Templates provide professional, consistent formatting across all devices and are perfect for workshops, training, or offline planning.

Advantages:

• Professional, consistent formatting across devices
• Fixed layout prevents formatting issues
• Universal compatibility without special software
• Ideal for workshops and training sessions

Limitations:

• Difficult to edit without specialized software
• No real-time collaboration support
• Requires manual data entry
• Lacks interactive features and calculations

[fs-toc-omit] So Which Goal-Setting Template is best for you?

Choose Excel for team collaboration and data tracking, Word for individual reflection and detailed planning, and PDF for training sessions and consistent presentation needs.

[fs-toc-omit] How to Create a Goal Setting Template?

If you want a reusable, goal-aligned template tailored to your organization, follow these steps:

[fs-toc-omit] Step 1: Pick a Goal Setting Method

Decide whether you’re using:

• SMART goals (best for clarity and accountability)
• OKRs (great for strategic alignment)
• KPIs (ideal for measurable performance)
• Milestones (good for long-term projects)

[fs-toc-omit] Step 2: Choose a Format

Select Excel, Word, or PDF depending on how the template will be used (see section above).

[fs-toc-omit] Step 3: Add Key Sections

Make sure your goal template includes:

• Goal Title – A short, descriptive name
• Objective – What success looks like
• Action Steps – Tasks needed to achieve the goal
• Timeline – Deadlines and target dates
• Progress Tracker – Fields for ongoing updates
• Success Metrics – Quantifiable outcomes (e.g., % complete, revenue, etc.)
• Resources – People or tools needed

[fs-toc-omit] Step 4: Design with Clarity

Use a clean layout with enough space for real input. In Excel, add dropdowns or color-coded columns. In Word, include tables or bullet fields.

[fs-toc-omit] Step 5: Test and Distribute

Use it yourself or test it with a colleague. Then finalize the format and make it available as a shared file or a printable download.

What Are SMART Goals and Why Do They Work?

SMART goals provide a clear, structured framework for setting and measuring goals. The acronym stands for:

Smart Goals Examples

We’ve been over the importance of setting SMART goals so now it is time to provide you with some SMART goal examples. We will first be going over the example itself, and then explaining just why that goal fits the SMART goal criteria.

[fs-toc-omit] Example: Increase Monthly Sales by 15% within the Next Quarter

Specific: The goal clearly states what needs to be achieved—increasing sales.

Measurable: The target is quantifiable—15% increase in monthly sales.

Achievable: The goal is realistic and attainable within a three-month period.

Relevant: Increasing sales is directly aligned with the overall business objective.

Time-bound: The goal has a specific time frame—within the next quarter.

[fs-toc-omit] Example: Complete a Professional Development Course to Improve Project Management Skills Within the Next Six Months

Specific: The goal specifies what skill needs improvement—project management.

Measurable: Completion of the course is a clear, measurable outcome.

Achievable: It’s realistic to complete a professional development course in six months.

Relevant: Improved project management skills align with career and organizational objectives.

Time-bound: The goal has a defined time frame—within the next six months.

[fs-toc-omit] Example: Reduce Customer Support Response Time to 24 hours or Less by Implementing a New Ticketing System Within the Next Month

Specific: The goal clearly defines what needs improvement—customer support response time.

Measurable: The target is specific and measurable—24 hours or less.

Achievable: Implementing a new ticketing system is a concrete step toward achieving the goal.

Relevant: Faster response times contribute to customer satisfaction and retention.

Time-bound: The goal has a specific time frame—within the next month.

[fs-toc-omit] Example: Increase Website Traffic by 20% in the Next Two Months Through SEO Optimization and Content Marketing

Specific: The goal identifies the approach for achieving it—SEO optimization and content marketing.

Measurable: The target is quantifiable—20% increase in website traffic.

Achievable: The methods chosen are realistic for improving website traffic in the given time frame.

Relevant: More website traffic aligns with the marketing and business growth objectives.

Time-bound: The goal has a specific time frame—within the next two months.

[fs-toc-omit] Avoid These Common Mistakes When Using Goal Setting Templates

Whether you’re using an employee goal setting template, a goal setting template in Excel, or a goal setting worksheet, these resources can streamline the process and help you stay on track. However, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that people often make when utilizing these templates/

• Being too vague – Goals like "increase sales" or "improve communication" lack clarity. Use the SMART framework to make goals specific and measurable.
• Setting too many goals at once – Overloading yourself or your team leads to burnout. Prioritize a few high-impact goals instead of chasing everything.
• Forgetting to revisit goals – Templates aren't set-and-forget documents. Schedule regular check-ins to track progress and adjust as needed.
• Setting unrealistic expectations – Overly ambitious goals cause frustration. Aim high, but keep goals achievable based on available time and resources.
• Leaving employees out of the process – Top-down goal setting kills motivation. Involve employees in setting their own objectives for better engagement and buy-in.