Final answer:
The characteristic 'Flexible' is not typically included in the SMART criteria for effective objectives. Objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, providing clear and defined traits for success.
Step-by-step explanation:
When setting objectives, it's crucial to make them SMART, which means they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each of these characteristics plays a key role in ensuring the goal is well-defined and attainable. The characteristic that is NOT one of the elements of effective objectives is C.Flexible. Flexibility isn't typically highlighted as a SMART goal criterion, as the emphasis is on specific attributes that make goals concrete and achievable.
Effective objectives should be created following the SMART criteria to maximize the likelihood of successful completion. Specific objectives provide clear direction by detailing exactly what's expected. Measurable criteria enable tracking progress and knowing when the objective is accomplished. Objectives should also be Achievable, meaning imagining how to overcome potential barriers to meet them. Being Relevant ensures the objective supports other goals and is worthwhile, and Time-bound signifies it possesses a clear deadline.
While objectives should allow for a certain degree of flexibility in response to changing circumstances, as a characteristic of the objective itself, 'Flexible' is not part of the SMART framework. Flexibility is more about the approach to achieving the objective rather than the objective being changeable. In essence, while you can be flexible in how you reach a goal, the goal itself should maintain certain clear, defined traits.