Before a plan can be effectively executed, the objective of the plan must be defined. What statement concerning the definition of a plan objective best represents the proper writing of an objective as an engineering department management level officer?

Correct Answer: Option B — Reduce overtime expenditures department-wide for all engineering department employees 10% for the upcoming deployment as compared to the last trip.

A well-defined management objective must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Option B is the only choice that clearly defines the target group, the specific percentage reduction, the timeframe, and the basis for comparison, providing a clear metric for evaluating the success of the initiative.